| 15 367 suspects arrested in a week as SAPS intensifies crackdown on drug trafficking and serious crime | |
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| Date Published: | |
| 2026/04/28 | |
| Description Details: | |
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Media Statement PRETORIA - The South African Police Service (SAPS) remains resolute in intensifying efforts to clamp down on criminal networks involved in drug dealing, trafficking, and possession, as well as other serious and violent crimes. Between 20 and 26 April 2026, nationwide operations led to the arrest of 15 367 suspects for various crimes. These include 284 alleged drug dealers and 2 241 suspects arrested for possession of drugs, with the highest number of arrests recorded in the Western Cape (1 063). At the country’s busiest airport, OR Tambo International Airport, police arrested two drug traffickers over the busy long weekend. On 26 April 2026, a 26-year-old Brazilian national was intercepted with cocaine valued at an estimated R8.7 million. In a separate incident, a Netherlands national was arrested after being found in possession of 60kg of khat concealed in his luggage. The suspect was intercepted while attempting to board a flight to London on Sunday morning. SAPS continues to record significant success in intercepting transnational drug traffickers, particularly from Brazil. More than 27 alleged traffickers have been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport between 2025 and 2026. These arrests and drug seizures underscore SAPS’s commitment to dismantling transnational drug trafficking networks and curbing the distribution and selling of drugs in the country. Progress in Combating Serious and Violent Crime: The week-long operations also yielded notable successes in tackling violent crime: -110 suspects arrested for murder, with the majority in Gauteng (31) and Eastern Cape (21) -110 suspects arrested for attempted murder across multiple provinces Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Offences Operations targeting gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) resulted in: -136 rape suspects arrested, with KwaZulu-Natal (34) and Gauteng (33) recording the highest numbers -43 suspects arrested for attempted rape Road Safety and Liquor Law Enforcement Multi-disciplinary operations led to: -876 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol, with highest figures in: KwaZulu-Natal (220), Mpumalanga (219) and Gauteng (172) -Seizure of more than 31 000 litres of alcohol, including over 12 000 litres in the Eastern Cape. -Police also intensified enforcement of liquor laws, resulting in the closure of 425 unlicensed liquor outlets, with KwaZulu-Natal (223) recording the highest number. Firearms and Dangerous Weapons Seized Efforts to prevent violent crime led to the seizure of: -145 illegal and unlicensed firearms -1 584 rounds of ammunition -2 036 dangerous weapons, including knives -KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of firearm seizures (37), followed by the Western Cape (29). Crackdown on Illicit Goods Police are intensifying operations against illicit cigarette syndicates. On 21 April 2026, officers intercepted a Fuso truck transporting illicit tobacco products along the R573 road. Two Zimbabwean nationals, aged 40 and 28, were arrested, and illicit goods valued at approximately R6 million were seized. In addition, the National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit conducted a two-day joint operation in the Bloemfontein CBD, resulting in the seizure of counterfeit goods worth more than R5 million. TAKEDOWN HIGHLIGHTS GAUTENG - Hammanskraal (23 April 2026): Two suspects, aged between 34 and 46, were arrested at Jubilee Mall in connection with a R1.2 million fraudulent meat order scam. MPUMALANGA – Barberton (23 April 2026): Police uncovered an illegal gold processing laboratory at a residential property. Two suspects, aged 51 and 52, were arrested. EASTERN CAPE – Ku Gompo (23 April 2026): Flying Squad members intercepted a vehicle and arrested two suspects. Seized items include: Two firearms, police uniform, a speed point device, hand radio KWAZULU-NATAL- Newark Kidnapping & Mass Murder (21–22 April 2026): Three suspects arrested for kidnapping and murder. Ends
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