Namakwa police arrest eight in four-day drug operation

Eight people have been arrested on drug-related charges across the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape, the South African Police Service says, in a four-day run of operations under Operation Shanela II.

The arrests were made between 18 and 21 September 2026 and covered offences including dealing in and possession of drugs, according to a SAPS media statement from the Office of the Provincial Commissioner in the Northern Cape.

The statement is a police summary of the operations rather than the court record itself. All eight suspects remained in police custody at the time of the statement and are expected to appear in the relevant Magistrate’s Courts soon.

What the operations found

On the evening of 18 September, shortly before 21:30, Hondeklip Bay SAPS members acted on information about alleged drug dealing at a hostel in Koingnaas. A male suspect was arrested after he was found with bankies containing cannabis, allegedly intended for dealing.

About ten minutes later, at roughly 21:40 the same evening, police arrested a 36-year-old foreign national at the same hostel for alleged dealing in drugs. A search warrant was obtained and executed, and members seized several bankies of cannabis as well as cash believed to be the proceeds of drug sales.

The following evening, at about 20:25 on 19 September, Pofadder SAPS members followed up information about alleged drug dealing in the area and searched a residence. They found a plastic bag holding a parcel wrapped in paper and insulation tape. The parcel contained high-grade cannabis, which was confiscated, and cash suspected to be the proceeds of crime was also seized. A 32-year-old man was arrested.

Earlier that same day, at about 18:25, Sutherland SAPS members arrested a 39-year-old man for possession of drugs during routine patrols.

Springbok SAPS members separately arrested two men, aged 28 and 43, for possession of cannabis in two incidents on 18 September, between roughly 10:40 and 15:10.

In the early hours of 21 September, members of Springbok Public Order Policing arrested two men, aged 24 and 28, for alleged dealing in drugs. During the investigation, SAPS says, it was established that the two had allegedly ingested the drugs in an attempt to conceal them. They were taken to a medical facility, where X-ray examinations confirmed the presence of foreign objects suspected to be drugs. The substances were medically removed under the supervision of a medical practitioner, and both were placed under arrest.

Commissioner credits the members

The Namakwa District Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews, commended the police members for their vigilance, dedication and commitment to disrupting the illegal drug trade and protecting communities from the harmful effects of drugs. He issued a warning to drug dealers and to people involved in the possession and distribution of illegal drugs.

SAPS has asked the public to keep passing on information about criminal activity through the Crime Stop number, 08600 10111, or by contacting the nearest police station.

Enquiries on the statement are directed to Captain Ivan Magerman on 083 478 9317.

Source: South African Police Service, SAPS Namakwa clamps down on drug trade with eight arrests