GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The fight against drug use and drug trafficking at large has seen local police make big strides in the CX region this year in a number of recent drug busts, which all form part of the South African Police Service's ongoing battle with the drug trade.

While there have been many busts across the Southern Cape, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay in particular have been hotspots in the past two months. 

According to various press releases that KPH has received from the Southern Cape police media office, at least eight drug busts were made between the two towns in June and July so far, seeing nine suspects arrested. 

They were charged with various offences, varying between possession of drugs, dealing in drugs, and even cultivation of drugs. The most commonly confiscated drug was tik, which featured in four of the eight busts, with Mandrax appearing in three. There have also been two confiscations of marijuana and one of magic mushrooms.

The largest bust occurred on 15 June in Plett where 1 786 tablets of Mandrax were found in the home of a 48-year-old Kwanokuthula resident. The drugs are estimated to hold a street value of R90 000 and the suspect was arrested for dealing in drugs.

Another large bust occurred on 17 June when police confiscated 446 grams of magic mushrooms at a house in Gordon Street, Knysna.

The drugs hold an estimated worth of R46 000 and a 36-year-old suspect was arrested for the cultivation of drugs.

The most recent bust came on 17 July when police arrested a 38-year-old suspect on a charge of dealing in drugs. According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Christopher Spies, police found nine tik straws and an undisclosed amount of cash in the man's possession.

'We bring you the latest Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route news'