An incarcerated inmate has appeared in court after police allegedly discovered crystal meth worth R12,000 and multiple cellphones in his prison cell.
Joshua Belden Swarts, 41, was arrested by members of the Northern Cape Serious Organised Crime Investigation for alleged drug dealing following an intelligence-driven operation under Project Ditto.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said investigators visited Boksburg prison, where they searched Swarts’ cell and recovered two cellphones hidden under his pillow.
A further search of his locker resulted in the discovery of crystal methamphetamine, also known as Tik, with an estimated street value of R12,000.
Inmate also faces stolen vehicle charge
Thebe said an internal search conducted by the Department of Correctional Services a week earlier had also resulted in Swarts being found in possession of another cellphone, bringing the total number of cellphones allegedly found on him to three.
Swarts is also facing an additional charge of possession of a stolen vehicle after a vehicle allegedly found in his possession before his incarceration was identified as stolen during the Project Ditto takedown.
He made a brief appearance before the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court, where the matter was postponed to January 26, 2027, for further investigation.
