EDEN CLUSTER – Various police units in the Garden Route clamped down on drug outlets and conducted targeted operations to rid communities of drugs since Thursday, 19 May 2022. These operations yielded excellent results with the confiscation of tik, mandrax and dagga.
Heidelberg police arrested a 22-year-old man following a sting operation in Dollo Square, Heidelberg on Thursday, 19 May 2022 at about 21:20. Upon searching the premises the team found 71,31 gram of tik and 74 mandrax tablets with a combined estimated street value of R28 000. Police confiscated the drugs as well as two pocket scales and arrested the man on a charge of dealing in drugs.
In Oudtshoorn the Eden Cluster Crime Combating Team and Oudtshoorn police members, armed with a search warrant, conducted an operation at a residence at Norah Pott Street, Bridgeton. The team confiscated 160 Mandrax tablets and 36 bankies of dagga. Three suspects were arrested on charges of possession of drugs.
The same team, also embarked on an operation at a premises at Bongulethu, Oudtshoorn where they confiscated 1, 64 kilogram of dagga and 20 packets of tik. They arrested two more suspects on charges of possession of drugs.
Furthermore, Pacaltsdorp police conducted various operations on Friday, 20 May 2022, where they arrested ten suspects. The vigilant members confiscated small quantities of drugs, cables and two dangerous weapons.
Meanwhile, Uniondale police arrested a suspect and confiscated 187 mandrax tablets, 10 half tablets (mandrax), 5 quarters (mandrax) and a small bag with Tik.
Other than these arrests, Rural Flying Squad members also confiscated tik with an estimated street value of R3 million on the N1 at Prince Albert just after 14:00 on Friday afternoon, 20 May 2022. This confiscation subsequently led to the arrest of a 36-year-old suspect.
All the arrested suspects, aged between 22 and 38, are expected to appear in various courts tomorrow, Monday, 23 May 2022.
These confiscations and arrests form part of concerted efforts by police to eradicate substance abuse which remains one of the contributors to serious and violent crimes in this region.
Source: South African Police Service