The South African Police Service (Saps) has dismantled a drug syndicate involved in the illegal sale of steroids, scheduled medicines, stimulants, and other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) through an online platform. The operation, which took place on Tuesday, 11 February 2025, led to the arrest of six suspects — three men and three women — at various locations in Pretoria.
According to Saps’s Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, the operation was carried out following an extensive investigation by the National Organised Crime Investigations (OCI) Narcotics Unit, with support from the Transnational Vehicle Crime Investigation (VCI) Unit, Gauteng Provincial Narcotics Unit, Crime Intelligence, Saps K9 Search and Rescue, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport, and the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC).
“The suspects were allegedly running a drug syndicate that operated through an online platform to distribute counterfeit and illicit substances,” Lieutenant Colonel van Wyk said.
“Investigators discovered that one of the so-called ‘fat burners’ sold by the syndicate contained Dimethylphenethylamine, an isomer of methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth or Tik.”
Forensic analysis confirmed that several of the products trafficked by the drug syndicate contained banned substances. During the arrests, law enforcement officers seized a significant quantity of steroids, scheduled medicines, stimulants, and counterfeit drugs, along with electronic devices linked to the online operation.
The six suspects face multiple charges under the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, Medicines and Related Substances Act, and the Counterfeit Goods Act. They are expected to appear before a magistrate’s court in Pretoria later this week as investigations into the drug syndicate continue.
SAPS has reaffirmed its commitment to combatting the illegal distribution of dangerous substances and disrupting organised crime networks.
“The takedown of this drug syndicate is a significant victory in the ongoing fight against illicit drug trade,” Lieutenant Colonel van Wyk said.
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