Police uncover dagga worth almost R1 million

THE POLICE found dagga with an estimated street value of nearly R1 million hidden in a ceiling and buried in a garden in Kakamas.

Kakamas police spokesperson Captain CJ Prins said that during a joint intelligence-driven operation on October 27, the police seized 38 kilograms of high-quality dagga that was hidden in the ceiling of a premises in Kakamas and also buried in the garden.

“Two men, who are both in their 30s, were arrested for dealing in dagga with an estimated street value of R968,000,” said Prins.

Meanwhile, a suspected drug dealer and his runners were nabbed with mandrax tablets and crystal meth with an estimated street value of R97,450 on the R27 road near Calvinia.

Northern Cape police spokesperson Captain Olebogeng Tawana said that members of Security Crime Intelligence and the Calvinia K9 unit received information regarding a drug consignment that was to be collected at Piketberg in the Western Cape on October 26.

“The suspects were expected to be driving back to Calvinia just after 8pm. According to information received, the suspects hired a vehicle with the purpose of collecting the consignment in Piketberg,” said Tawana.

He added that a vehicle matching the description was spotted and pulled over.

“Upon searching the vehicle, the four suspects were found inside the vehicle in possession of 70 mandrax tablets and crystal meth weighing 133 grams.

“The drugs confiscated from inside the vehicle had an estimated street value of R97,450.”

Tawana said the suspects were expected to appear in the Calvinia Magistrate’s Court soon on a charge of dealing in drugs.

Tawana added that three suspects - a woman and two men between the ages of 20 and 24 - were expected to appear in the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of dealing in drugs.

“The suspects were arrested on October 27 following an intelligence-driven operation in Galeshewe,” he said.

“Members of Security Intelligence in Kimberley and the Kimberley Public Order Police raided premises in Sithole and Albert Luthuli streets and confiscated mandrax tablets, dagga and crystal meth with an estimated street value of R2,350.”

Tawana stated that 14 zip-lock bags containing crystal meth were found at the premises where a 24-year-old female suspect was arrested in Albert Luthuli Street.

“Two male suspects were found in possession of 18 packets of dagga, one loose poke of dagga, three halves and 17 quarters of mandrax tablets at their premises in Sithole Street.”

The police also pounced on several suspected drug dealers in Danielskuil on October 27 when they raided several houses.

Northern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said three suspects were arrested at three different premises.

“The police confiscated tik, crystal meth and dagga with an estimated street value of about R3,000,” said Kock.

“Stop-and-searches formed part of the police actions in the CBD and residential areas.”

Kock added that the suspects were expected to appear in the Danielskuil Magistrate’s Court soon.