Two suspected drug dealers arrested at Joburg's Houghton Hotel due in court

Source: EWN Traffic
Author: Orrin Singh

JOHANNESBURG - A high-flying drug dealer, who was staying at Johannesburg's five-star Houghton Hotel for months, will appear in court on Wednesday morning.

He was found in possession of drugs worth R800,000 in his hotel room on Monday.

Members of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department's (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit and the Hawks arrested him at the hotel, a five-star resort in Johannesburg's plush suburb of Houghton, where five kilograms (kg) of crystal meth were found.

Another suspect, who booked the room, was also handcuffed.

The two suspected drug dealers will now appear before the Hillbrow Magistrates Court.

"The male occupant of the room was found in possession of approximately 5kgs of an illicit drug, known as crystal meth," said JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla.

"The occupant then identified another male individual, who was located in the hotel's restaurant. The room was rented under this individual's name."

Eyewitness News understands one of the accused had been staying at the hotel for months prior to his arrest.

In a statement to Eyewitness News, Houghton Hotel management said they were aware of the arrests, but due to the ongoing investigation, would not comment further.