An anonymous tip-off from a member of the public to the Primedia Crime Line has led police to make their biggest drug bust yet since the initiative was launched.

A media release states that members of the Pretoria police's dog unit, acting on information from Crime Line, raided a house in a security complex in Clubview, Pretoria where they found two Nigerian nationals, aged 31 and 34, in the process of pre-packing quantities of cocaine into smaller packages — ready to hit the streets.

Gauteng police spokesperson Superintendent Eugene Opperman said scales and measuring apparatus were also seized. “The suspects were busy with their operations on the floor and the police seized 1.8kg of cocaine valued at almost R400 000.”

“We also seized various transaction slips, indicating that the one suspect had about R20-million in his bank account.” Opperman added: “The police’s organised crime unit was summoned to the scene and a full investigation is now underway. Police also a seized a vehicle that they suspect was used in the transportation of drugs.”

Last week, police smashed another drug syndicate and confiscated about R55 000 of cocaine, ecstacy and other drugs in Boksburg on the East Rand. Ten cellular phones allegedly used for drug deals were confiscated and this bust was also enabled by a Crime Line tip off.

Head of Crime Line, Yusuf Abramjee, said he was “thrilled” to see the public and the police starting to break the back of drug syndicates. “A large chunk of tip-offs to Crime Line are drug related, and this is an indication of how widespread the problem is.”

“We welcome the latest breakthrough and we appeal to the public to continue blowing the whistle on criminals who are involved in wrongdoing. There is no doubt that the organised crime syndicates are slowly feeling the pressure — and the public should continue targeting the ‘big fish’.”

Director Sally de Beer from the office of the National Police Commissioner said the latest drug bust was yet another indication of how members of the public could assist authorities in the fight against crime.

A total of nearly 540 suspects have now been arrested as a result of tip-offs to Crime line and R23-milllion of stolen property, drugs and counterfeit goods have been seized.

  • Sms your tip-offs to 32211 or send them via the website, www.crimeline.co.za.

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