A targeted operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Flying Squad on major highways and secondary routes in the Western Cape has yielded significant results, with the confiscation of drugs worth an estimated R290,000 in Prince Albert, Central Karoo.
The breakthrough occurred on Tuesday, 17 June 2025, at 08:00, when Central Karoo Flying Squad members conducted a vehicle checkpoint (VCP) near the entrance to Prince Albert. During the operation, a passenger bus was stopped and searched, leading to the discovery of 13 boxes containing khat, a banned stimulant.
Further investigation linked the consignment to a passenger on board. Police seized a total of 2,940 bundles of khat and arrested a 47-year-old man on charges of dealing in drugs. The suspect remains in police custody and is expected to appear in court once formally charged.
Western Cape police management praised the Flying Squad members for their diligent efforts, which prevented the illicit goods from reaching their intended destination. This operation forms part of a broader strategy to combat the trafficking of drugs, firearms, and other illegal goods in the province.
Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying operations along key transit routes to disrupt criminal supply chains and ensure safer communities.
