Cannabis bust, 4 arrests

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Southern Cape Police arrested four suspects and confiscated compressed cannabis worth R120 000 on Sunday night.

Police spokesperson Captain Malcom Pojie said despite the large number of arrests and seizures of drug shipments during lockdown, the market is so lucrative that drug syndicates continue their illicit trade unabated, in alternative and innovative ways.

“However, Southern Cape Police are equal to the task and foiled yet another drug delivery when a vigilant K-9 member deployed at our cross-border roadblock on the R62 and his dog Tessa successfully sniffed out a dagga consignment weighing about 20kg and valued at about R120 000,” he said.

Pojie said that on Sunday 31 May at about 20:45, members conducted routine searches at the roadblock situated on the R62-Langkloof border post between the Western and Eastern Cape. “They pulled over a double-cab bakkie with four occupants transporting doors. Upon inspecting the doors on the back of the bakkie, the member attached to K-9 Outeniqua in George became suspicious and deployed his dog, who acted positive to the odour of cannabis. The doors were dismantled, which led to the find of compressed dagga sealed in various plastic bags hidden inside the door panels,” he said.

The four occupants, three men aged 51, 45- and 41 as well as a 29-year-old woman from George were arrested on the spot and the consignment, together with the Ford Ranger bakkie, were confiscated and handed in as evidence.

“The quartet appeared in the Uniondale Magistrate's Court this morning after being charged with dealing in drugs (dagga). They were remanded till Monday 8 June 2020 when they will again appear in the Uniondale Magistrate's Court for a formal bail application,” added Pojie.

He said Eden Cluster commander Major Generald Oswald Reddy had nothing but praise for the members who are still committed to eradicate drug trafficking and the distribution thereof.

Compressed cannabis hidden in a door.