R2 million worth of codeine-laced dagga seized at hijacked Houghton property

R2 million worth of codeine-laced dagga seized at hijacked Houghton property

Zuko Komisa

• Johannesburg authorities, led by Public Safety MMC Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, intercepted an illegal consignment of codeine-laced dagga valued at over R2 million.
• The vast quantity of contraband was discovered inside a hijacked property in Houghton, Johannesburg, allegedly being prepared for transport to Zimbabwe.
• The JMPD has secured the premises, and comprehensive investigations into the illicit operation are currently underway.

An intelligence-led operation in Johannesburg has resulted in the seizure of an illegal drug consignment valued at over R2 million in Houghton, Johannesburg on Saturday, 22 November 2025.

The operation, spearheaded by the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, involved the JMPD’s Tactical Response Unit (TRU), CCTV Units, and City of Johannesburg (COJ) Councillors.

According to a statement released by Tshwaku, the haul included a large quantity of prescription cough syrup containing codeine (a Schedule 5 controlled substance not available over the counter) and processed dagga with an estimated street value of approximately R2 million.

Authorities believe the drugs were being prepared for illicit transport to Zimbabwe.

Eight suspects were arrested for possessing and dealing in illicit drugs, as well as occupying a hijacked property. Police say the tenants had been paying rent into a bank account registered under an unknown name.

“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. Further raids are imminent as additional leads are actively being pursued,” Tshwaku said.

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