A 33-year-old man is expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo on Monday after he was arrested for possession of unregistered steroids and other medicines in Bendor, Polokwane.
Police said the man was arrested on Friday morning by members of the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Unit of the South African Police Services (SAPS).
Limpopo provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said police officers acted on a tip-off regarding a man who was allegedly selling steroids in the Bendor area of Polokwane.
“The suspect, residing at Blue Heaven Estate, allegedly sourced the steroids online for distribution. A search warrant was executed at his residence, where various types of unregistered tablets, syringes, and other liquid substances were recovered from his garage,” said Ledwaba.
“The items were identified as unregistered Schedule 4 and Schedule 5 drugs, which can only be prescribed by a medical practitioner via a valid prescription.”
The man was arrested for contravening the Medicines and Related Substances Act.
Ledwaba said officials from the Department of Health and other came to the scene to help with the investigation.
“The estimated value of the seized medication is approximately R300,000. The suspect is set to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday,” said Ledwaba.
Meanwhile, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the arrest.
Hadebe also commended the coordinated efforts of all the agencies involved in the operation.
In June, IOL reported that police in Mpumalanga, working in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) arrested two foreign nationals at White River for contravening the Medicine and Related Substance Act and the Immigration Act.
The law enforcement operation was unleashed after information was received about a Nigerian national suspected to be dealing in drugs and also practicing as illegal optometrist in White River.
IOL News