Five arrested in major drug bust near Wembley Roadhouse

A massive drug bust near the popular Wembley Roadhouse in Athlone left people shocked after police caught five suspects with mandrax tablets and a bag of money. 

The operation went down on Wednesday, when members of the Maitland Flying Squad followed up on a tip-off about possible drug dealing in the area.

Police spokesperson, FC van Wyk, said: “Upon their [the Flying Squad’s] arrival at the mentioned address, they found three vehicles including a white Mercedes Benz, a white Renault and a white Hyundai in the parking area.

“The members observed the occupants and noticed that the one suspect took a black bag out of the one vehicle [and then] putting it into his vehicle. 

“They immediately approached the vehicles and two of the suspects attempted to walk away but were apprehended.

“The members searched all the vehicles and found in the one vehicle 3 000 mandrax tablets and in the other an undisclosed amount of cash believed to be the proceeds of crime.”

However, it didn’t stop there.

Members followed more leads to a location in Crawford, where they found a further 13 000 mandrax tablets and an undisclosed amount of schedule one medicine.

The bust led to the arrest of a 58-year-old woman and four men between the ages of 48 and 60, who are now facing charges of dealing in drugs.

Athlone Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Vernon Piedt said: “Clearly it could be that these are people who do not live in the area, because if they did they would’ve gone to the particular houses where the dealings happen."

Ward Councillor Aslam Cassiem said the City is invested in getting CCTV cameras on important roads around that area and also provide the necessary resources to the neighbourhood watch.

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