6 suspects nabbed in connection with online drug syndicate due in court on Thursday

JOHANNESBURG - Six suspects arrested in connection with an online drug syndicate are set to appear in the Pretoria Magistrates Court on Thursday.

A multidisciplinary police team, including the police's national organised crime and narcotics unit, uncovered an undisclosed quantity of counterfeit and illicit performance-enhancing drugs, steroids, scheduled medicines, and stimulants, along with electronic devices.

The arrests took place on Tuesday, at various locations in the capital city.

The bust follows an intelligence-driven investigation launched in 2022 after a case was registered by the national head office narcotics unit.

Undercover sting operations as Section 252a purchases were conducted in October and November 2022 to infiltrate the online drug trade.

Preliminary forensic analysis revealed that some products contained prohibited substances.

Police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk said: "One of the products sold online as a 'fat burner' contains dimethylphenethylamine, an isomer of methamphetamine."

Van Wyk said the suspects faced multiple charges under the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, the Medicines and Related Substances Act, and the Counterfeit Goods Act.