In a breakthrough for law enforcement in the Western Cape, police uncovered an enormous cache of illicit drugs valued at over R54 million during a targeted raid in Goodwood. The operation, driven by intelligence gathering and executed by a specialised police unit, resulted in the arrest of two foreign nationals who are expected to appear in the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie, spokesperson for the Western Cape police, the raid followed a tip-off that led authorities to a residence on Molteno Street.
“At approximately 1.45pm, members attached to Operation Restore operationalised information which led them to a residence situated at Molteno Street in Goodwood where they initiated a search of the premises. During the search, the members discovered and seized 6kg of heroin, which was found in a cupboard in one of the rooms,”
Pojie explained.
A 32-year-old Tanzanian man, who was reportedly staying in the room where the drugs were initially found, was taken into custody on charges of dealing in heroin. The estimated street value of this batch alone stands at R1 million.
“Officers found 100 grams of heroin with an estimated value of R16,000. This led to the arrest of a 28-year-old Burundi national for the possession of drugs,”
said Pojie, referring to further discoveries made during the continued search of the property.
The magnitude of the drug haul quickly escalated as the search intensified. Officers investigating other parts of the house made a startling discovery in the ceiling.
“The members expanded the search, leading to the discovery of 145kg of tik and 16kg of heroin found in the roof of the residence. The estimated street value is R53.3 million, bringing the total value of the discovery to R54.3 million,”
Pojie confirmed.
Authorities believe the operation has struck a blow against the entrenched networks of drug trafficking that continue to afflict the region. The bulk of the narcotics — tik and heroin — are substances known for their devastating social consequences in communities across the Western Cape.
The investigation is now being handled by a specialist team of detectives from the Provincial Organised Crime Unit’s narcotics division, suggesting that police are probing links to a broader syndicate.
Police leadership in the province has commended the work of the officers involved. Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General (Advocate) Thembisile Patekile, lauded the success of the operation and highlighted the broader significance of the arrests.
“We welcome the arrests and praise the members for their efforts to rid the streets of the scourge of drug abuse and trafficking,”
Patekile stated.
The swift police action underscores ongoing efforts by South African authorities to dismantle organised drug operations, particularly those involving foreign nationals implicated in high-volume trafficking. With the case now headed for court, public attention will likely turn to how this development fits into the wider campaign against narcotics in the region.
The two accused — both foreign nationals — are expected to face a full battery of charges related to drug possession and trafficking. It remains to be seen whether further arrests may follow as investigations progress.
