Successful kidnapping rescue leads to R500k+ drug seizure in Knysna

Update

KNYSNA NEWS - Police last week seized drugs worth more than R500 000 and arrested four suspects, all in the wake of the successful rescue of a kidnapping victim.

According to Western Cape media liaison officer Captain Frederick van Wyk, police received reports of an alleged kidnapping incident on Thursday 9 February.

"Crime Intelligence, Knysna Station Commander [together] with local detectives investigated the matter and through networking of sources and contacts identified who the suspects were and where they were keeping the victim. The suspects had also demanded money for the release of the victim," Van Wyk said.

After police intelligence was coordinated, an operational team was put together made up of police officers from the Knysna Crime Prevention Unit as well as the Garden Route Flying Squad.

The operational team was then deployed to a house in Robololo Street, where the kidnapping victim – a foreign national – was found and brought to safety. However, during the rescue operation police conducted a search and left with more than they had initially bargained for.

"During the search, 70g of tik and 156 Mandrax tablets to the value of R33 860 were seized," explained Van Wyk. Police interviewed the victim as well as one of the suspects to obtain more information, and this paid further dividends.

"A follow-up operation was conducted at the premises of one suspect, [also a foreign national], that led to the further discovery of 7 500 Mandrax tablets and 1,5kg of tik to the value of R502 500," Van Wyk said.

"The drug consignment was seized and handed in as exhibits. Cash to the value of R20 000 believed to be the proceeds of crime was also found and confiscated."

A total of four suspects were arrested – one foreign national male, two South African males and one South African female. The group was arrested on charges of kidnapping, extortion and dealing in drugs. "They will appear in court once charged," Van Wyk said.

Vast amounts of money were seized too.