The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested two Nigerian nationals and recovered suspected illicit drugs with an estimated street value of R1.5 million, equivalent to about N125 million, during a targeted operation in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape Province.
The arrests were made on Thursday, August 27, 2026, during an intelligence-driven operation conducted under Operation Ukubuza in the Central area of Gqeberha.
SAPS, in a statement issued on Sunday, identified the two Nigerian suspects as 36-year-old Kelvin Ike and 52-year-old Okeke Joseph Sunday. Both men are facing charges related to the possession of suspected illegal drugs and have appeared before the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court.
The police operation was reportedly launched after officers received intelligence concerning suspected drug-dealing activities around Parliament Street in the Central area of the city.
According to SAPS, officers acted on the information and arrested two men allegedly found in possession of suspected narcotics.
A third suspect was also arrested during the operation after police reportedly found him with a substantial amount of cash which he was unable to satisfactorily account for. Authorities said a separate inquiry had been opened regarding the source and circumstances surrounding the money.
The operation subsequently took another turn when a police K9 officer reportedly detected a suspicious white Mercedes-Benz B200 Turbo parked in the area.
Police said suspected drugs were visible inside the vehicle, prompting officers to conduct a search of the car and its immediate surroundings.
During the search, officers allegedly discovered a plastic bag containing suspected drugs close to the vehicle’s rear tyre.
SAPS said officers subsequently traced the registered owner of the Mercedes-Benz. The owner reportedly told investigators that he had been renting out the vehicle and granted police permission to search it.
The search allegedly led to the discovery of another suspect hiding inside the boot of the vehicle.
According to the police statement, officers found a key in the possession of the suspect. Investigators reportedly traced the key to a flat in the area, where another search was conducted.
The subsequent search allegedly resulted in the discovery and seizure of a variety of suspected illicit substances.
Among the substances listed by the police were dagga, commonly known as cannabis, tik, khat, cocaine and mandrax tablets.
Officers also reportedly recovered several items believed to be associated with the distribution or consumption of illicit drugs. These included numerous smoking pipes, insulin syringes, a portable measuring scale and an undisclosed quantity of cash.
SAPS further stated that additional suspected drugs and insulin needles were recovered from the Mercedes-Benz during the operation.
The police said the seizure represented a significant disruption to suspected drug-related activities in the area, particularly given the estimated value of the substances recovered.
The two Nigerian nationals, Ike and Sunday, were subsequently taken into custody and charged in connection with the alleged possession of illegal drugs.
They appeared before the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court, where their case was adjourned until Monday, August 31, 2026.
The third suspect, a 42-year-old man who was reportedly arrested on a charge relating to drug dealing, is also expected to appear before the same court on Monday.
Authorities have not indicated the identities or nationalities of the third suspect.
The arrests form part of a broader effort by South African law-enforcement agencies to tackle drug trafficking, dealing and related criminal activities in communities across the country.
Operation Ukubuza has involved intelligence-led policing and targeted interventions aimed at identifying suspected criminal networks and removing illicit substances from circulation.
Acting NMB District Commissioner, Brigadier Loyiso Ngalo, commended the police officers who participated in the operation, particularly their response to the intelligence that led to the arrests and seizure.
Ngalo said the prompt action by the officers had helped prevent a substantial quantity of suspected drugs from reaching communities.
He praised the police team for acting swiftly on the information received and emphasized the importance of intelligence gathering in the fight against organised and street-level crime.
According to the district commissioner, SAPS would continue conducting operations designed to disrupt drug dealers and other criminal networks operating within the district.
The latest arrests also highlight the continuing challenges posed by the illicit drug trade in South Africa, where law-enforcement authorities regularly conduct raids and intelligence-driven operations against suspected dealers and distributors.
Police authorities have increasingly relied on specialised units, intelligence gathering and K9 teams to identify concealed drugs and track individuals suspected of involvement in the illegal trade.
The use of a police K9 in the Gqeberha operation proved significant, according to SAPS, as the officer reportedly drew attention to the Mercedes-Benz where suspected drugs were allegedly discovered.
The subsequent discovery of a suspect hiding in the boot and the recovery of a key that allegedly led investigators to another premises further expanded the scope of the operation.
SAPS said the investigation remains ongoing and that further developments could emerge as the suspects face the judicial process.
The police have not yet disclosed the exact quantities of the various substances seized but placed the estimated value of the recovered drugs at approximately R1.5 million.
The suspects remain subject to due process, and the allegations against them will have to be tested before the court.
The arrests come amid continued calls for stronger measures against the distribution of illicit drugs, particularly in urban communities where authorities say drug-related activities can contribute to other forms of criminality.
South African police authorities have repeatedly stressed that intelligence from members of the public remains important in identifying suspected criminal operations.
For now, the three suspects are expected to return to court as investigations continue into the alleged drug activities and the source of the cash recovered during the operation.
Brigadier Ngalo reiterated that SAPS would maintain pressure on individuals and networks involved in drug dealing and other criminal activities, with further operations expected as law-enforcement agencies intensify efforts to make communities safer.
The case is expected to attract further attention when the suspects return to the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court on August 31.
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