Cops held for allowing drug dealers safe passage

Seven Queenstown Flying Squad members were arrested yesterday for allegedly being paid off to allow drug dealers safe passage through the town.

The officers were arrested after a months-long sting operation by the Eastern Cape Anti-Corruption Unit.

They are expected to appear in court either today or tomorrow.

In the Free State, six police officers were arrested yesterday for fraud, corruption and theft in another sting operation.

The charges relate to bogus claims totalling R5.2-million.

Eastern Cape provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga’s office said more information on the Queenstown arrests would only be made available after the officers had been formally charged in court.

Six of the officers were arrested at their homes at about 5am and the seventh was arrested in Pretoria where he is on a training course.

The officers – from constables to warrant officers – are accused of being paid by drug dealers to allow certain dealers safe passage through the town.

“In some instances, they allegedly transported narcotics through the town for the drug dealers to a drop-off point,” an official, who is close to the investigation but declined to be named, said.