The strategic deployment of police along highways, byways and secondary roads in the lead-up to Easter weekend celebrations already paid dividends with the confiscation of drugs with an estimated street value of R7 million on the N1 at Laingsburg.
On Wednesday, 27 March 2024 at about 21:20, Laingsburg police members conducted a vehicle checkpoint on the highway where they pulled over a delivery truck. They approach the vehicle, and noticed that the driver acted suspiciously. The vigilant members immediately commenced with a search of the vehicle when they discovered sealed boxes in the cabin. Upon opening the boxes and tool box, members discovered packets of mandrax tablets stashed inside. A total of 145 000 mandrax tablets were confiscated and police arrested the truck driver on a charge of dealing in drugs.
The case was assigned to investigators attached to the Western Cape Provincial Detectives (narcotics section) for further investigation.
The 44-year-old suspect remains in police custody. He is expected to appear in the Laingsburg Magistrate’s Court on 02 April 2024 on the mentioned charge.
Acting Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Major General Preston Voskuil, said: “The confiscation of such a large quantity of drugs is evident of the success of our operational deployment. The deployment of resources along entry and exit routes is in line with the policing priorities to curb the influx of illicit drugs, unlicensed firearms and illegal goods into the province. This deployment will be maintained for the rest of the holiday period and beyond”, he concluded.
