Mandrax valued at R61,000, an unlicensed firearm, five cellphones and R13,300 in cash was discovered by detectives

A GRADE 11 pupil will appear in the East London magistrate's court this morning on charges of drug dealing and for being in possession of stolen property and an unlicensed firearm.

The 21-year-old suspect from Greenpoint High School was arrested on Monday night at his home in Vynbos, Buffalo Flats.

Mandrax valued at R61,000, an unlicensed firearm, five cellphones and R13,300 in cash was discovered by detectives attached to the Dimbaza police station and the East London flying squad.

Police spokesperson Captain Stephen Marais said detectives had visited the man's house to search for a suspected stolen firearm when they made the drug discovery.

"The mandrax and money recovered was hidden all over the bedroom," he said.

Marais said detectives had earlier arrested five suspects for housebreaking and theft in Dimbaza.

"Among the goods that were stolen from the house was a gun safe containing a handgun," Marais said.

During interrogations the five suspects told the detectives they had sold the handgun to a Buffalo Flats resident.

"Upon arrival at the suspect's house the detectives called for backup from the East London flying squad and the K-9 Unit," Marais said, and that the suspect cooperated with officers when they identified themselves to him.

After discovering the drugs and firearm, the man was taken into custody.

Marais said the suspect's mother allegedly expressed her appreciation to police for arresting her son as he was posing a danger to the family.

Greenpoint High's deputy principal, who asked not to be named, said the suspect was not a pupil at the school.

But several pupils who spoke to the Dispatch said the suspect was still a pupil and had terrorised other pupils.

This was backed up by Marais, who said the man attended the school as a pupil.