In KwaZulu-Natal, yesterday at about 10:00, Amangwe Visible Policing were performing duties when they received information about a homestead in which dagga was being kept. They proceeded to the said house and upon arrival they found dagga weighing 58 kilograms in total. The dagga has an estimated street value of around R70 000,00. A 21-year-old female suspect was arrested for possession of dagga. She will appear in the Estcourt Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.
While in Ladysmith this afternoon, members of the Uthukela Cluster Task Team, Ladysmith K9 Unit and Ladysmith Crime Intelligence Unit arrested a 21-year-old man at the Lyell Street taxi rank. The man was found in possession of 32 whole mandrax tablets, 15 pieces of mandrax and 171 whoonga straws. Undisclosed amount of cash suspected to be the proceeds of drug trade was also seized. The estimated street value of the drugs is around R8 000-00. The suspect will appear in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court tomorrow on charges of possession of drugs.
There is widespread usage of the street drug Whoonga and is mainly found in the impoverished townships. The drug contains antiretroviral drugs as well as other ingredients and considered a highly addictive drug. The cost of Whoonga is around R20 and easily available. Addicts need several hits a day and as such unable to afford the drug, therefore turn to crime to support the habit.
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