NORTHERN CAPE - A crime intelligence driven operation between Northern Cape and Western cape, successfully intercepted a Khat drug consignment worth more than R500 000-00 in estimated street value.
The office of Crime Intelligence Counter Narcotics in Kimberley acted on a tip-off regarding a truck that was transporting Khat drugs from Gauteng via Kimberley to Cape Town, between Monday, 11 July and Tuesday, 12 July 2022.
The Francis Baard District Task Team, was activated to be on the look-out for the alleged truck. The truck was spotted on the N12 near Warrenton. The team with the back-up of the Kimberley Flying Squad, pulled off the truck and directed it to a nearby filling station in Warrenton. The team searched the truck and found six boxes filled with a total of 145 plants of Khat drugs.
A 44-year-old truck driver was arrested. During questioning he informed the team that the consignment was meant to be delivered in Cape Town. The boxes were branded with the names of the end-receivers in Cape Town.
The suspect was charged for dealing in drugs.
On Wednesday, 13 July 2022 the Northern Cape, Francis Baard Task Team with the assistance of Western Cape team operationalised the delivery to Cape Town. The truck was escorted from Warrenton to deliver the Khat drugs to the recipients in Cape Town. The recipients were contacted to collect their delivery on the N1 1Stop filling station near Kraaifontein. The recipients fled the scene in a Chevrolet Spark subsequent to the collection of their delivery.
A high speed chase by the police ensued. The suspects abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot, one suspect was later arrested. One suspect is still at large.
The suspect is facing counts of dealing in drugs, attempted murder and malicious damage to property. He is expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court soon.
The Northern Cape Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Kolisa Otola praised both the Northern Cape and Western Cape teams for their high level of commitment and synergy, which led to the arrest of the suspects.
Source: South African Police Service