Four suspects, aged between 31 and 37, were arrested on 13 February 2026 at approximately 11:30 for dealing in drugs at a shopping complex in White River.
Police received information about a Nigerian national selling drugs in and around White River. The suspect was reportedly using a grey Mercedes-Benz with Mpumalanga registration plates and charging R300 per packet.
Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) conducted an undercover buy-and-bust operation. An undercover agent was provided with marked money; the serial numbers were photographed beforehand.
Police officers, including the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and K9 Unit, staged a waylay operation at the identified location where the transaction was expected to take place.
At approximately 11:30, police observed the suspect arriving at a shop parking lot in the identified vehicle, accompanied by three other adult males. The vehicle made a U-turn to meet the undercover agent. The agent signaled that the transaction had been completed, and police immediately moved in and stopped the vehicle.
Upon searching the suspect, police recovered the R300 with matching serial numbers. A plastic packet containing crystal methamphetamine was also found.
The vehicle was taken to the K9 Unit for a thorough search. With the assistance of a police dog, which reacted positively to the presence of drugs, additional crystal methamphetamine was discovered, packaged in small tin containers. The vehicle, which belonged to the suspect, was booked in for further investigation.
All four suspects were arrested and are expected to appear at White River Magistrate’s Court on 16 February 2026.