EDEN CLUSTER – Operation “Vhuthu Hawe” was in full swing in the Southern Cape when the Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Thembisile Patekile, police deployed various units into crime ridden areas in the region over the weekend. These units clamped down on drug outlets in George and Oudtshoorn.
The operation which commenced on Friday afternoon, 25 June 2021 when Major General Patekile led the forces in a search and cordoned operation at the George taxi rank in the central business district. This strategic integrated deployment yielded positive results when the police arrested three suspects on charges of dealing in drugs and one undocumented person. These forces confiscated 881 grams of dagga, 30 packets of Tik and 23 Mandrax tablets.
Later the same day, an intelligence driven operation took members attached to the Attaqua K9 Unit and Eden Cluster Crime Combating Team to Thabo Mbeki Square, Bongulethu (Oudtshoorn). Armed with a search warrant, they proceeded with a search of the premises when they found 203 grams of Tik on site. A 30-year-old man, a known highflyer, was arrested on a charge of dealing in drugs.
Furthermore, vigilant members attached to the Dysselsdorp police also operationalised information and descended on premises at Bernadus Gronde at Dysselsdorp outside Oudtshoorn. A search of the premises led to the confiscation of 101 quarters Mandrax Tablets, 6 Mandrax Tablets, 69 bankies of Tik and 18 SASSA cards. The police also seized R14,619.10, believed to be the proceeds of illicit activities. Three suspects aged 25, 30 and 31 were arrested on a charge possession of drugs each as well as offences under the National Credit Act.
Meanwhile, on 26 June 2021, at about 14:15, members attached to the Public Order Police were strategically deployed along the entry and exit points in the region when they noticed a suspicious looking man at a hiking spot on the N12. They proceeded with a search when they found 1.031 kilogram of dagga in his luggage. The police confiscated the drugs and subsequently arrested the suspect. He is facing a charge of possession of drugs.
This morning, the same POP Unit members swiftly responded following a tip-off when they conducted an operation at a house at Blesbok Street, Parkdene also in George. They confiscated 13 bankies of Tik, 15 bankies of dagga and small quantities of Mandrax. The members arrested a 38-year-old suspect in dealing in drugs and also seized R2611, believed to be proceeds of the illicit drug trade.
All arrested suspects will appear in various local courts once charged.
Major General Thembisile Patekile, applauded these forces for their efforts to remove drugs from the streets. He said, “we want to assure the public that similar operations will be maintained in the province as part of efforts to eradicate substance abuse”.
Source: South African Police Service