Two suspects, 22-and-50-year-old, both from Durban, appeared in the Oudtshoorn magistrates’ court earlier following their arrest on Saturday, 6 August 2022 at about 18:45 on the N-1 / Prince Albert Road near Laingsburg when illicit drugs estimated at approximately R2-million were found in their possession by officials from the Provincial Traffic department .
Preliminary investigation indicates that officials attached to Provincial Traffic conducted routine vehicle checks near Laingsburg on Saturday, 6 August 2022 when they pulled over a Chevrolet Utility bakkie.
Both occupants of the vehicle acted suspiciously which prompted officials to proceed with a search of the bakkie. During the search it was discovered that the rear panels of the bakkie had been tampered with. An extensive search led to the discovery of 40 000 Mandrax tablets which were concealed inside the panels which form part of the body.
The drugs were confiscated and both occupants subsequently arrested.
Further investigation into the find reveals that the vehicle was en-route from Durban and that the consignment was destined for delivery and distribution in the Cape Metropole.
The accused, aged 22 and 50, both from Durban, on Monday, 8 August 2022, appeared in the Oudtshoorn magistrates’ court on a charge of Dealing in Illicit Drugs.
This matter was postponed to 16 August 2022 for a formal bail application. They were remanded in custody.
Western Cape Provincial Detectives Organised Crime Narcotics Section, which is based in Beaufort-West, is probing the matter.
The Provincial police management in the Western Cape praised the collaborative efforts by police and traffic to curb the prevalence of drugs in communities. These combined efforts between SAPS and Law enforcement agencies will go a long way to safeguard communities within the boundaries of the Western Cape and beyond, Lt Gen T Patekile concluded.
