Latest news with #OrganisedCrimeUnit
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Tanzanian man and Burundian man arrested in R54.3m drug bust
Some of the drugs were found hidden in the roof of the raided house. Two foreign nationals are facing drug trafficking charges following a major intelligence-led operation in Goodwood that resulted in the seizure of narcotics worth R54.3 million on Sunday afternoon. Members of Operation Restore executed a search warrant at a residence on Molteno Street at approximately 13:45 on Sunday,13 July 2025, leading to the discovery of substantial quantities of heroin and crystal methamphetamine, also known as Tik, hidden throughout the property. Initial drug discovery leads to arrests The operation began when officers searched the premises and made their first significant find in a bedroom cupboard. 'During the search, the members discovered and seized 6kg of heroin, which was found in a cupboard in one of the rooms,' said Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie. Pojie said the occupant of the room, a 32-year-old Tanzanian national, was immediately arrested and charged with dealing in heroin. The seized drugs carried an estimated street value of almost R1 million. Officers then expanded their search to another bedroom, where they uncovered an additional 100 grams of heroin valued at approximately R16 000. 'The member extended the search to another bedroom where they found 100 grams of heroin with an estimated value of about R16 000.00, which led to the arrest of a 28-year-old Burundi national for the possession of drugs,' said Pojie. ALSO READ: Hawks officials accused of theft at Dragon City released on R3 000 bail Major drugs found in the roof The investigation took a dramatic turn when members received additional intelligence while processing the suspects. 'The members expanded the search, leading to the discovery of 145kg of Tik and 16kg of heroin found in the roof of the residence,' Pojie stated. This substantial cache significantly increased the total value of the seizure. 'The estimated street value is R53,3 million, bringing the total value of the discovery to R54.3million,' Pojie stated. ALSO READ: Here is how long you could spend in jail for drug trafficking in SA Court appearance and investigation Both suspects are scheduled to appear in the Goodwood Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 15 July 2025, to face their respective charges. The investigation is being conducted by the Narcotics Section, which operates within the provincial Organised Crime Unit detectives, Pojie confirmed. 'Investigation in this matter is conducted by Narcotics Section located within the provincial Organised Crime Unit detectives.' The success of the operation drew praise from senior police leadership. Western Cape provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile commended the members for their dedication in efforts to rid the Western Cape streets of the scourge of drug abuse and trafficking. READ NEXT: Five arrested in Jeffrey's Bay for possession of abalone worth R250 000
The Citizen
03-07-2025
- The Citizen
Police recover R700 000 worth of stolen copper in Botha's Hill
A 43-YEAR-OLD man was arrested in Botha's Hill after copper with a value of R700 000 was found at the back of his property on Tuesday, July 1. Brigadier Jay Naicker, KZN police spokesperson, said detectives from the Organised Crime Unit tasked with investigating essential infrastructure offences, together with other role players, swooped on a residential premises in the Upper Highway following information of copper cables being stripped on the property. Also read: Two nabbed with stolen copper worth R850 000 in Malvern 'Police officers found workers stripping copper cables in a container at the back of the building. The owner of the premises failed to provide police with evidence of where the cables were purchased from and was arrested by detectives,' reported Naicker. The man was detained at the Hillcrest Police Station for being in possession of suspected stolen property and is expected to appear in court soon. Last week Wednesday, police arrested two men who were found in possession of copper valued at R850 000 in the Malvern area. It was discovered that the 288kg of the 861kg recovered copper belonged to eThekwini Metro Electricity. For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
BBC News
14-06-2025
- BBC News
Bradford delivery driver transported £3.5m of drugs around city
A delivery driver who smuggled £3.5m of drugs around Bradford has been jailed for six Howell, 36, of Pasture Lane, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to supplying cocaine and his time as a delivery driver, Howell transported more than 30kg of drugs around the Bradford district between February and July drugs had been imported from the United States by criminals who had used postal services to deliver them across the city, before they were picked up by Howell who further distributed them. Joint inquiries between British and American agencies led to Howell's identification as a suspect and his arrest in July Insp David Greenwood, from the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit, said Howell thought his job as a driver would be the "perfect cover"."This case should stand as a lesson to other delivery drivers who may be tempted to make easy money from distributing parcels given to them by criminals," he added. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
09-05-2025
- BBC News
Police arrest six men in Glasgow-Edinburgh gangland feud dawn raids
Police have arrested six men during early-morning raids linked to an ongoing gang from the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit, alongside firearms officers, executed warrants at six properties in the Glasgow media was invited along for one of the raids in Barlanark, while others took place in Maryhill, Hamiltonhill, Milton of Campsie and have been a series of assaults, shootings and firebombing incidents in Glasgow and Edinburgh since March, with a total of 32 people arrested. Ahead of the latest raids, dozens of armed officers, detectives and uniformed police gathered at 04:00 for a briefing at Glasgow's Baird Street station. Det Chief Constable Jane Connors, one of Police Scotland's most senior officers was in attendance - an indication of the importance of the Barlanark, shortly after 05:00, armed officers forced entry to an end terrace house by smashing their way through a large ground floor led two men in handcuffs outside into unmarked police men, aged 31 and 26, were arrested in connection with conspiracy to murder and directing serious and organised crime. In the other raids, a 36-year-old man was also arrested over conspiracy to murder.A 26-year-old man was arrested over drug offences and a 57-year-old man was arrested in connection with proceeds of crime Wishaw, a 42-year-old man was arrested over involvement in serious and organised crime.A quantity of class B drugs and £46,000 in cash were seized during the Ch Sup David Ferry said: "These arrests continue to highlight the hard work and dedication of officers to target those responsible for these attacks."While the number of incidents has continued to decrease since the start of this investigation, I want to reiterate that violence will not be tolerated and will not stop until we bring those responsible for this criminality to justice."We are working tirelessly to build cases and are following a number of significant lines of inquiry." How the gang feud developed A series of attacks began on 2 March when a car was set on fire in Edinburgh's Parrotshot area.A beauty salon in Leith and a garage in Portobello were also targeted over a 10-day shots were reported as being fired at two properties in Niddrie and Pilton in separate firebomb attacks were reported on another house in Niddrie at the start of April, just as the first property in Glasgow was targeted in the Robroyston area.A carpet business in Bishopbriggs and another commercial premises in Kirkintilloch were also hit, alongside homes in Glasgow and April, a 72-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy were assaulted at a house in Egilsay Crescent in Milton, Glasgow.
Express Tribune
06-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Police bust fraud gangs, recover record millions
Police's Organised Crime Unit has arrested seven members of three gangs involved in fraud and seized nearly Rs240 million in cashthe largest single seizure in the city's history, officials announced on Saturday. The arrests were announced during a press conference held in Model Town by DIG Investigation Syed Zeeshan Raza and DSP Chaudhry Faisal Sharif, who led the high-stakes operation. The accusedShahid Akram (ringleader), Aamir Ali, Nazeer Ahmed, Khalid Mahmood, Khizar Hayat, Imran Shah, and Talat Butt — allegedly secured jobs in reputable companies, committed large-scale frauds, and vanished without a trace. Along with the cash recovery, police also seized clothing worth Rs1.8 million, with more recoveries expected as investigations unfold. DIG Raza credited the success of the operation to the use of advanced technology and collaboration with IT experts, calling it a "complex case" that required meticulous planning and execution. DSP Sharif said that the suspects would face the full force of the law, with the prosecution already working to build a strong case for conviction. The officials reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling organised criminal networks. Meanwhile, nine police officials were handed down penalties for misconduct. DIG Operations Faisal Kamran presided over the weekly Orderly Room at Police Lines, where he reviewed the performance, discipline and conduct of personnel. According to the spokesperson, 19 officials were punished for negligence, carelessness, corruption and misuse of authority. Three appeals against previous disciplinary actions were rejected. The DIG stated that an effective and transparent self-accountability system was in place in the department. Over the past 11 months, 357 personnel have faced departmental action, including dismissal of four inspectors, three sub-inspectors and 10 other officials.
