Residents are slowly but surely taking back their streets with the help of the City’s law enforcement agency.
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s K9 Narcotics Tactical Unit (K9 Narcotics Unit) arrested four drug pushers in Hillbrow and Eldorado Park in two separate operations yesterday.
After receiving a tip-off from Hillbrow residents, followed by a three-day stakeout, the K9 Narcotics Unit positively identified the suspects and pounced on three drug pushers on the corners of Quarts and Essellen streets.
Four cocaine rocks and 30 packets of nyaope were found and seized from the suspects. The suspects were then detained at the Hillbrow Police Station.
In a separate operation, another K9 Narcotics team arrested a drug dealer at Westgate Flats, Eldorado Park Extension 3. Ten packets of crystal meth or “Tik” and four packets of “Kat” were seized from the suspects.
Since coming into office, the City has invested in the fight against drug dealers by not only recruiting an extra 1 500 JMPD trainees but by also investing in the establishment of the K9 Narcotic’s Unit.
Yesterday’s efforts by the unit form part of the City’s continued efforts to remove drug lords and criminals from our streets.
By working with communities and enhancing our intelligence gathering capabilities, we will win the fight against drug dealers on our streets.
In addition to increasing our policing efforts, the new administration has also invested in the provision of five free community-based substance abuse treatment centres across the City, with more scheduled to be opened during the current financial year.
MMC for Public Cllr Michael Sun said: “We welcome the arrests of these drug dealers and the removal of drugs from our streets. This is especially important in light of the recent protest by the two communities. I want to congratulate the residents of Hillbrow for coming forward with the information which lead to the arrest of three known drug dealers in the area.”
“We are fully aware of the drug pandemic in our country and understand that it will take more than just JMPD K9 to combat drugs and related crimes in the City. However, until we can see national government’s firm action to fight drugs, the City of Johannesburg Metro Police, led by Chief David Tembe, will continue to wage wars on drug dealers and their criminal underworld. I want to thank Chief Tembe and his team for the continuous successes we are seeing on a weekly basis.”
