SEVEN out of 12 of Eldorado Park's "biggest" drug dealers were arrested in early morning raids at their homes on January 24.
Among the arrested was a 70-year-old man, believed to be the kingpin, who has been in the drug business for over two decades, police told Sowetan.
An eighth man is said to be on the run after hearing news of his friends' arrests. Police intelligence said he has fled to Cape Town.
Another four are also still at large.
Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko said yesterday: "We had targeted this syndicate of 12 known dealers, whom we have monitored for over six months.
"Seven have been arrested and we are tracking another who is fleeing to Cape Town as we speak.
"Police are hot on the heels of the other four suspects as well."
He said the arrests come after 12 drug laboratories had been shut down in the past three months in Gauteng. Police intelligence linked the dealers to some of the manufacturing bases.
Over R33-million worth of tik, kat, crystal methamphetamine, cocaine and nyaope was seized at the laboratories.
Ramaloko said yesterday's joint operation between the Hawks and the Tactical Response Team, commonly known as "amaberete", was a result of numerous complaints from the Eldorado Park community.
"These guys were supplying schools and peddlers in the Soweto region as a whole (which includes Eldorado Park).
"We took our time before securing the warrants of arrest. We did our homework and we are now confident that we have built a watertight case and will get strong convictions," Ramaloko said.
He said more laboratories will be busted and that other similar operations were being planned for other areas in the province.
Ramaloko pleaded with communities to come forward with information, but also to be patient with police as investigators were focusing on ensuring stiff convictions.
He confirmed claims by members of the community that the drug dealers were often arrested but were quickly released because police could not come up with evidence that stuck.
Resident Anna August said: "We are happy as a community, but I'm not relieved because they go to jail now and come out tomorrow. Local police cannot do their job. They are friends with these dealers."
The drug den, which is a shabby house, is not far from the Eldorado Park police station.
Other residents were not as keen to speak, saying that the dealers' friends were in the area.
Ramaloko said the operations are mainly to arrest individuals and not to seize drugs.
This article was first printed in the published newspaper on 25 January 2013
Drug ring bust
SEVEN out of 12 of Eldorado Park's "biggest" drug dealers were arrested in early morning raids at their homes on January 24.
Among the arrested was a 70-year-old man, believed to be the kingpin, who has been in the drug business for over two decades, police told Sowetan.
An eighth man is said to be on the run after hearing news of his friends' arrests. Police intelligence said he has fled to Cape Town.
Another four are also still at large.
Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko said yesterday: "We had targeted this syndicate of 12 known dealers, whom we have monitored for over six months.
"Seven have been arrested and we are tracking another who is fleeing to Cape Town as we speak.
"Police are hot on the heels of the other four suspects as well."
He said the arrests come after 12 drug laboratories had been shut down in the past three months in Gauteng. Police intelligence linked the dealers to some of the manufacturing bases.
Over R33-million worth of tik, kat, crystal methamphetamine, cocaine and nyaope was seized at the laboratories.
Ramaloko said yesterday's joint operation between the Hawks and the Tactical Response Team, commonly known as "amaberete", was a result of numerous complaints from the Eldorado Park community.
"These guys were supplying schools and peddlers in the Soweto region as a whole (which includes Eldorado Park).
"We took our time before securing the warrants of arrest. We did our homework and we are now confident that we have built a watertight case and will get strong convictions," Ramaloko said.
He said more laboratories will be busted and that other similar operations were being planned for other areas in the province.
Ramaloko pleaded with communities to come forward with information, but also to be patient with police as investigators were focusing on ensuring stiff convictions.
He confirmed claims by members of the community that the drug dealers were often arrested but were quickly released because police could not come up with evidence that stuck.
Resident Anna August said: "We are happy as a community, but I'm not relieved because they go to jail now and come out tomorrow. Local police cannot do their job. They are friends with these dealers."
The drug den, which is a shabby house, is not far from the Eldorado Park police station.
Other residents were not as keen to speak, saying that the dealers' friends were in the area.
Ramaloko said the operations are mainly to arrest individuals and not to seize drugs.
This article was first printed in the published newspaper on 25 January 2013
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