Nigerian, South African arrested for drug trafficking in Johannesburg

The Johannesburg Metro Police Department and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, popularly known as the Hawks, have arrested two men, a 48-year-old Nigerian and a 43-year-old South African for drug trafficking.

According to a statement by the spokesperson for the JMPD, Superintendent Xolani Fihla, the arrests followed a planned operation conducted by the JMPD’s tactical response unit and the Hawks.

According to a foreign news outlet, Independent Online, on Wednesday, the operation was initiated based on intelligence regarding alleged drug dealing activities at the Houghton Hotel in Houghton.

“On 08 April 2024, a joint operation was conducted by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department Tactical Response Unit and the Johannesburg Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.

“The operation was based on information received about suspected drug dealing activities at the Houghton Hotel in Houghton. Upon arrival, the team identified the room of interest. The male occupant of the room was found in possession of approximately five kilogrammes of an illicit drug known as crystal meth,” said Fihla.

“The occupant of the hotel room then identified another male individual, who was located in the hotel’s restaurant. The hotel room was rented under this individual’s name,” he added.

The confiscated drugs, estimated to have a street value of around R800,000, (53M) were seized during the raid.

“The suspects, a 48-year-old Nigerian national and a 43-year-old South African were arrested and detained at Norwood SAPS,” said Fihla.