A HIGH-intensity police operation targeting illegal mining and crime hot spots in two Northern Cape districts led to multiple arrests and significant drug seizures.

Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam said that the multi-disciplinary Operation Vala Umgodi task force conducted co-ordinated raids in the Frances Baard and Namakwa districts on March 6, intensifying efforts to dismantle criminal networks linked to illicit mining.

During the operation, law enforcement teams from the Kimberley and Kleinzee Venue Operations Centres (VOCs) carried out disruptive interventions, including vehicle checkpoints, stop-and-search operations, and community patrols in key mining areas.

Their actions resulted in the arrest of eight suspects, aged between 27 and 42, for a range of offences, including immigration violations, drug dealing, possession of narcotics, resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer, obstructing justice, and armed robbery.

In a notable breakthrough, Shift B of the Kimberley VOC received intelligence about suspected drug activity at a residence in Ramatshela Street, Galeshewe. Acting on the tip-off, officers raided the property, uncovering a stash of mandrax tablets, crystal meth, and khat, with an estimated street value of R3,180, along with R8,780 in cash, suspected to be drug proceeds.

The team also arrested three suspects nearby for allegedly robbing a member of the public at knifepoint.

All suspects are expected to appear in Kimberley and Port Nolloth courts in the coming days.

Apart from the arrests, the police also issued multiple traffic violation fines at checkpoints in the Frances Baard and Namakwa districts as part of efforts to tighten security and disrupt illegal mining operations.

Sergeant Timothy Sam said that the Operation Vala Umgodi combat teams will intensify efforts to clamp down on illicit mining and associated crimes, warning offenders that their days are numbered.

He also urged community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to SAPS Crime Stop at 08600 10111.

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