Staff Reporter
Plans by suspected drug dealers to do brisk business over the festive period could have been scuttled by the police after three people were arrested in the northern Free State this Tuesday.
Police say members of the Public Order Policing (POP) Unit from Welkom who are currently deployed in Bultfontein to deal with cases of gangsterism which is said to be on the rise in the small farming town received information that some people were selling dangerous drugs.
The POP team then proceeded to a certain house in IYO Park, Phahameng location, following the tip-off.
Upon arrival, they requested to search the house and found 29 Mandrax tablets and an undisclosed amount of cash.
A 32-year-old woman who was at the house was arrested for dealing in drugs.
The team went on to raid another house in Alexandra Street, Phahameng, and arrested a 52-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman also for dealing in drugs.
About 100 khat drugs — also known as CAT or KAT — and cash were found in their house.
CAT is produced from the leafy green khat plant which contains two main stimulants, cathinone and cathine, said to speed up the mind and body.
While the plant is said to have medicinal properties, unscrupulous drug dealers process and sell CAT for its euphoric effect, particularly among the youth.
Police also arrested a 29-year-old member of the IJP gang for possession of a dangerous weapon after he was found with a knife.