Major Drug Bust in Mpumalanga: Two Arrested for Possession of Controlled Substances

In a significant operation led by the Hawks in Mpumalanga, two suspects, Wesley Jadè Bailly (33) and Fabian Roets (24), have been arrested for possession of substances believed to be drugs and contravention of the Medicine and Related Act. The operation, carried out on January 23, 2025, involved various units including the Whiteriver K9 and Nelspruit Local Criminal Record Center (LCRC).

The investigation commenced following tip-offs about illegal activities violating drug and medicine regulations. Authorities raided a shop within The Groove shopping complex in Nelspruit, recovering controlled medicine and steroids estimated at R125,000. The shop employee, Bailly, and his acquaintance, Roets, were detained immediately.

Subsequent searches at the residences of the suspects led to further seizures, including drugs such as Cat, Ecstasy, LSD, Morfine, and dagga worth around R25,000. These operations underline the prevalent issue of drug circulation within local communities and the lengths law enforcement must go to curb this menace.

The arrested individuals appeared before a judge at the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on January 24, 2025, where they were remanded in custody. A formal bail application is scheduled for January 29, 2025. Both face severe charges under the stringent drug and healthcare regulations, highlighting the serious nature of their alleged offenses.

Major General Nico Gerber, the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga, expressed his determination to follow through with this case rigorously. He emphasized the goal of the operation was not just to arrest but also to trace the origin of the illegal substances. "Our team will do its utmost best to clamp down on the supplier(s) to save the lives of innocent South Africans," he stated, indicating ongoing efforts to dismantle drug networks in the region.

This case is part of a broader effort by South African law enforcement to tackle the illegal drug trade, which poses significant health and safety risks to the community. It also highlights the essential collaboration between different police units and the community, whose tips were crucial in making the arrests.