'Special loo' catches cocaine

2005-04-23 21:25

Johannesburg - North Rand police have arrested eight suspected drug dealers and smugglers, among them Nigerian and Colombian nationals, for possession of drugs valued at R4.7 million, a spokesperson said on Saturday.

Superintendent Eugene Opperman said the first suspects, aged 27 and 31, were arrested in Long Street, Kempton Park early on Friday morning.

He said the suspects were arrested while selling cocaine rocks to undercover detectives during a controlled police operation.

"The SAPS Organised Crime Unit also arrested a Colombian man, 22, and a South African woman only moments after they arrived at the Johannesburg International Airport from Sao Paulo," he said.

Police found about seven kilograms of cocaine worth about R4m hidden in the Colombian's suitcase.

"About one kilogram of cocaine worth about R450 000 was recovered after the South African woman spent some time on a special toilet to relieve herself of several so-called bullets containing the expensive drug," Opperman said.

In Benoni, police arrested a Nigerian man after police found cocaine rocks buried on his property. The man had been under police surveillance for some time.

"Three other Nigerian men were arrested in Kempton Park and Norkem Park while trying to sell 15 grams of CAT, three packets of dagga and 10 Ecstasy tablets."

Opperman said the suspects will appear in the Kempton Park and Benoni Magistrate's Courts on Monday on drug related charges.

- SAPA