Paballelo police prune R250k tree-top tik stash

IN AN UNEXPECTED twist worthy of a TV crime drama, police officers in Upington took “leafing through evidence” to a new level when they uncovered a stash of drugs hidden — quite literally — in the trees.

Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Omphile Masegela said that, acting on a tip-off from an alert community member, the SAPS in Paballelo zeroed in on a green hideout, where they discovered tik and dagga tucked away in the branches, with an estimated street value of R246,450. 

While no suspects were found at the leafy scene of the crime, an inquiry has been opened, and police say investigations are ongoing.

The district commissioner for ZF Mgcawu, Major-General Monica Sebili, praised both the swift action of the officers and the community member who blew the whistle. 

She noted that this level of vigilance and teamwork is exactly what is needed to uproot the drug scourge plaguing our communities.

Behind the quirky headline lies a grim reality: the Northern Cape, like many parts of the country, continues to battle the devastating impact of drugs — particularly on the youth. Tik is among the substances that have left families fractured and futures derailed.

While this week’s bust adds a small victory in the war on drugs, it also highlights the need for continued community engagement, proactive policing, and targeted support for vulnerable groups, especially young people caught in the crossfire of addiction and criminal exploitation.