Five-year investigation results in arrests relating to alleged prostitution plus the seizure of R1 million in cash, about 10 kilograms of cocaine and other drugs

Four Bulgarian women and a man, believed to be part of an international credit card fraud syndicate, were arrested in Johannesburg on Thursday, the SA Revenue Service said.

Spokesman Adrian Lackay said police and SARS officials carried out a house raid in Lonehill where R1 million in cash and about 10 kilograms of cocaine were seized.

The women were believed to be prostitutes who were illegally in the country.  

Lackay said the arrests were the result of a five-year investigation by French, South African and other authorities.

It was believed the house was used as a laboratory to manufacture narcotics.

Hawks spokesman McIntosh Polela said hashish and pills were also found in the house. “We don’t know what they are. It will tested.” 

A suitcase containing ephedrine was also found.

The 42-year old man would be charged with drug dealing and manufacturing drugs and would appear in the Johannesburg Commercial Court on Monday.

The four women’s legal status would be checked before any action was taken against them, Polela said.