Johannesburg Metro Police Department officers raided a hijacked residential property in Houghton, Johannesburg in an intelligence-led operation.[1] The Tactical Response Unit, CCTV Crime Analysis and Tracing Team and support units carried out the raid.[1] Officers said the illegally occupied house had been repurposed as a drug packaging and distribution centre.[2] Police arrested eight suspects on charges including possession and dealing in narcotics and illegal occupation of the property.[2] Those found included tenants and omalayisha cross-border couriers, and police said each person’s role was still to be established.[3]

Inside officers found processed dagga valued at about R2 million, alongside packaging material allegedly used to prepare consignments.[3] Officers also seized a large amount of prescription cough syrup containing codeine, a Schedule 5 controlled substance.[1]

The consignment had been packaged and prepared for transport to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe via informal cross-border couriers known as malayisha.[4] Traffickers planned to move the drugs via cross-border buses and informal Malayisha delivery vehicles operating between South Africa and Zimbabwe.[1] Investigators found tenants were paying rent into a bank account registered under an unknown name, raising concerns about organised criminal involvement.[2] Public Safety MMC Dr Mgcini Tshwaku praised the operation and said additional raids were planned as investigations continue.[3] The city urged the public to report hijacked buildings or drug activity to the JMPD on 011-758-9650.[3]