A major drug trafficking operation has been shut down in Houghton, Johannesburg, where authorities confiscated more than R20 million worth of illegal substances, including large quantities of codeine-based medicines and processed dagga.
The raid was launched over the weekend following a confidential tip-off and formed part of an intelligence-driven operation led by City of Johannesburg Public Safety MMC Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, alongside the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s Tactical Response Unit (TRU), CCTV Units, and several city councillors.
According to officials, the narcotics were being processed and packaged inside a hijacked residential property operating as a distribution hub for a cross-border trafficking network. The drugs were reportedly destined for Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, transported through cross-border buses and informal courier vehicles commonly known as Malayisha.
During the operation, officers seized vast quantities of prescription cough syrup containing codeine, a Schedule 5 controlled substance under South African law, as well as processed dagga valued at approximately R2 million.
Eight suspects were arrested on charges including drug possession, drug dealing, and the illegal occupation of the property. Authorities revealed that tenants had been paying rent into a bank account registered under an unidentified name, indicating the likely involvement of a broader organised crime syndicate.
MMC Tshwaku praised the success of the operation, warning that similar criminal networks would face the same fate.
“This operation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to rooting out criminal syndicates exploiting hijacked properties to facilitate drug trafficking. Lawlessness in any form will not be tolerated in the City of Johannesburg,” he said.
He added that further raids are expected as investigations unfold.
This incident follows renewed public concern over the resurfacing of BronCleer, a codeine-based cough syrup banned from legitimate distribution. In a recent separate bust in Kimberley, police discovered a stash of unregistered medicines, including BronCleer, linked to unlicensed distributors.
The issue drew widespread attention online, prompting City of Tshwane MMC for Health Services, Tshegofatso Mashabela, to clarify that public clinics do not supply BronCleer. Mashabela urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid spreading unverified claims.
