Photos: South African cops refuse R100,000 bribe from drug dealers, seize 1.5kg of cocaine

Police officers from the eThekwini Inner South Cluster, turned down a bribe of R100 000 and apprehended three suspected drug dealers who were found in possession of 1.5kg of cocaine worth an estimated R350 000 during a planned operation.

The dealers, aged between 40 and 45, were arrested after they were also found in possession of an undisclosed amount of packed cocaine bags and cocaine ‘bulking’ agents on Friday, September 15.

All three suspects appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrates’ Court on Monday, and were remanded into police custody.

They will reappear in court on September 21 for a formal bail application.

According to communications officer of the eThekwini Inner South Cluster, Priya Nunkumar, the first suspect was arrested at Pelican Drive in Bayview after he was found in possession of cocaine.

“The suspect led the team to a house in Greenview Road, Silverglen, where two other suspects were arrested after they were also found in possession of cocaine as well.

“Upon arresting the suspects, one of the suspects offered the members a bribe in exchange for the three dealers to not be charged. The members seized the money and charged the suspects for dealing in drugs. One of the suspects will also be charged for bribery,” she said.

The planned eThekwini Inner South intelligence-driven operation, together with Provincial Organised Crime, Durban Metro, Umlazi K9 and NIU was successful in apprehending the dealers after several months of ongoing observation, as well as planning numerous operations to target the dealers.

eThekwini Inner South Cluster commander, Major-General Nunkumar, commended the members on their excellent work in apprehending the dealers.

“We will be planning and executing operations in full force to target the drug distribution within the community,” he said.

Source: Rising Sun Chatsworth