KNYSNA | BITOU NEWS - Police in Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and further afield have been hard at work lately, clamping down on the illicit drug trade all along the Garden Route.
From Thursday to Sunday, 19 to 22 May, several arrests were made for drug-related crimes. Heidelberg police arrested a 22-year-old man following a sting operation in Dollo Square, Heidelberg at about 21:20 on 19 May.
"The team found 71,31g of tik and 74 Mandrax tablets with a combined estimated street value of R28 000. Police confiscated the drugs as well as two pocket scales and arrested the man on a charge of dealing in drugs," said Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies.
In Oudtshoorn, the Eden Cluster Crime Combatting Team and Oudtshoorn police armed with a search warrant conducted an operation at a residence in Norah Pott Street, Bridgton.
The team confiscated 160 Mandrax tablets and 36 bankies of dagga. Three suspects were arrested on charges of possession of drugs.
"The same team also embarked on an operation at a premises at Bongulethu, Oudtshoorn where they confiscated 1,64kg of dagga and 20 packets of tik," said Spies. "They arrested two more suspects on charges of possession of drugs."
In George, Pacaltsdorp police conducted various operations on Friday, arresting ten suspects. They confiscated small quantities of drugs, cables and two dangerous weapons.
Meanwhile, Uniondale police arrested a suspect and confiscated 187 full Mandrax tablets, 10 half tablets and five quarter tablets, as well as a small bag of tik.
Rural Flying Squad members also confiscated tik with an estimated street value of R3-million on the N1 at Prince Albert early on Friday afternoon and arrested a 36-year-old suspect.
Knysna happenings
On the local front, the most recent large bust was on 7 May. According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Capt Malcolm Pojie, members of the Eden Cluster Crime Combatting Team executed a search warrant at a house in Oupad, based on information received from the public.
"They arrested two suspects, a 31-year-old man and a 42-year-old female on charges of dealing, alternatively, possession of illegal drugs," Pojie said.
"During the search that ensued, members confiscated 59 bankies of tik, 59 full Mandrax tablets, 19 half tablets, 30 quarter tablets, 15 bankies of dagga and cash, seemingly obtained through the proceeds of crime."
Drugs confiscated by the Rural Flying Squad.
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