Woman bust with codeine syrup after allegedly trying to bribe police officers

POLICE in Ekurhuleni have arrested a 38-year-old woman for alleged possession of a large quantity of pharmaceutical medication, and offering a R1 000 bribe to police officers.

“On Tuesday, at 3pm, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) specialised services and Gauteng Traffic Police specialist law enforcement unit officers arrested a 38-yearold female passenger for attempting to bribe the law enforcers and recovered suspicious items found in the vehicle,” said EMPD spokesperson LieutenantColonel Kelebogile Thepa.

During their patrol, officers became suspicious of two occupants in a white VW Polo sedan, a male driver who appeared to be providing an e-hailing service, and a female passenger, said Thepa.

The vehicle was stopped and searched. The officers found four boxes of codeine syrup, with 50 bottles in each box.

“An interview was conducted by officers and the female passenger, offered the officers a bribe of R1000.

“The female passenger was immediately handcuffed and taken to the Boksburg police station. A charge of bribery and possession of pharmaceutical medication was registered against her and she is expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court soon,” said Thepa.

In another incident, members of the EMPD conducting an operation to curb land invasion discovered the lifeless body of an African male in an abandoned building.

“On Tuesday, at about 1pm, members of the EMPD’s Bronberg precinct conducted a by-laws operation in the Crystal Park area, with a stern focus on land invasion and illegal occupants in abandoned buildings.

“On the corner of 9th Road, members discovered the lifeless body of an African male, aged between 20 and 30, as they were removing illegal occupants in an abandoned building.

“The authorities were called, and the scene was handed over to Crystal Park SAPS to initiate investigations,” said Thepa.

During the operation, officers also came across three people, two men and a woman, residing in a building owned by the council, situated on Strathmore Street. Thepa said officers gained entry to the occupied building by breaking the locks.

“The trio were immediately removed from the building and issued with a warning that legal proceedings will be instituted against them should the trespassing be repeated,” said Thepa.

Additionally, among other by-law enforcement operations held in the Springs area, the EMPD team visited several scrapyards and businesses to check for valid permits and overall compliance with municipal by-laws.

“Numerous goods were confiscated from operators who failed to meet compliance standards, as well as from operators who were in possession of invalid or expired permits.

“This is an ongoing operation, and the EMPD urges businesses to comply with municipal by-laws to avoid finding themselves on the wrong side of the law,” Thepa said.