Concerted efforts through strategic deployment of resources to curb the influx of illicit drugs, goods and firearms once again yielded excellent results when five men found themselves behind bars as police confiscated drugs with an estimated street value of more than R750 000 found in their possession.
On Friday, 9 September 2022 at about 08:15, members attached to the Garden Route Flying Squad, Oteniqua K9 as well as George Public Order Police embarked on weekend crime combatting operations.
While conducting a vehicle check point (vcp) along the N12 at the foot of the Oteniqua Mountains that leads to the entrance to George, the team stopped a Toyota Fortuner. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 15 000 mandrax tablets concealed in a traveling suitcase and just over R15 000 in cash.
The members confiscated the consignment and cash, believed to be proceeds of the illicit drug trade and arrested the two occupants of the vehicle.
Preliminary investigations into this discovery reveal that the find was destined for delivery in George.
The suspects aged 25 and 42 remain in police custody. They are expected to make their first court appearance in the George Magistrates’ court on Monday, 12 September 2022 on a charge of dealing in drugs each.
Later on the same day, 9 September 2022, 88 mandrax tablets, three cell phones and two scales. Police arrested three men found on the premises for dealing in drugs.
The trio aged 40, 42 and 45 are also scheduled to appear in court in Oudtshoorn on 12 September 2022. They are still in police custody.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, thanked those involved with these confiscations and arrests.
“Illicit drugs in communities remain a crime generator in this region. These confiscations and arrests are part of concerted efforts by police to eradicate drug abuse as well as to rid communities of drugs. The focus on drug peddlers with the deployment of our forces along strategic routes will continue”, he concluded.
