Free State Police Arrest 195 Suspects In Province-Wide Crackdown On Drugs, Illegal Mining, And More
Free State Police, through their specialised “Vala Umgodi” operatives, have intensified operations across towns in the province, resulting in the arrest of 195 suspects linked to a variety of crimes. Offences range from bribery and drug possession to illicit mining, contravention of the Immigration Act, and possession of illicit cigarettes.
On Sunday, 17 August 2025, at around 11:30, Vala Umgodi teams, working with the Department of Home Affairs, conducted a disruptive operation in Virginia and Meloding. At a salon, a 32-year-old female illegal foreign national was arrested, alongside two others found with fraudulent documents.
Drugs Worth R150,000 Seized in Virginia and Meloding by Free State Police
During further searches of sleeping quarters behind the complex, police discovered Mandrax, Crystal Meth, and Rock valued at R150,000. Three suspects aged between 24 and 36, including two foreign nationals and one female, were arrested for drug possession and immigration violations.
In a separate Meloding operation, two undocumented foreign nationals were found inside tuckshops and arrested. This brought the total number of arrests in Virginia and Meloding to seven, with charges ranging from drug possession to contravention of immigration laws.
A proactive team was also deployed to a mine, where three undocumented males were caught engaging in illegal mining. They were arrested, and police seized gold-bearing material from the scene.
Multi-Town Operations Lead to More Arrests and Court Appearances
On 16 August 2025, Vala Umgodi’s VOC 1 and VOC 2 teams conducted disruptive operations in Viljoenskroon and Hoopstad, leading to the arrest of 12 undocumented foreign nationals at various tuckshops. A 45-year-old foreign national was also arrested after being found in possession of illicit cigarettes.
Meanwhile, in Ventersburg, police arrested a foreign national hitchhiking on the N1 to Cape Town. The suspect faces an additional charge of corruption after attempting to bribe officers with R500.
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In Virginia, another joint operation with mine security resulted in the arrest of three suspects, aged between 28 and 37, for illicit mining and possession of gold-bearing material and illegal processing equipment.
Police confirmed that these multi-disciplinary operations will continue in Lejweleputswa towns and surrounding municipalities, with all arrested suspects expected to appear in their respective Magistrate Courts soon.
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