Rural Flying Squad members strategically deployed along the N1 to eradicate illicit activities confiscated drugs with an estimated street value of R1,4 million during a high speed vehicle chase at Laingsburg on Monday, 23 August 2021.

In the early morning hours of Monday, 23 August at about 00:10, while conducting patrols, the members spotted a Toyota Quantum with tinted windows. On approaching, the vehicle sped off and a high-speed chase ensued. Reinforcements from Laingsburg Crime Prevention Unit members and Western Cape Provincial Traffic officials were dispatched to the area, where after the vehicle was brought to a halt. The occupants of the minibus disembarked and fled the scene on foot, but the driver’s freedom was short-lived when he was chased down and arrested. His passenger managed to evade arrest.

Upon searching the vehicle, the members found 60 bags of dagga weighing 738,1 kilogram.

Meanwhile, police members continued with the search for the suspect who fled the scene. Their patience paid off when he reappeared near the scene and boarded a Toyota Corolla. Police stopped the vehicle and apprehended the suspect.

Both suspects aged 30 remains in custody. They are expected to appear in the Laingsburg Magistrates’ court on Tuesday, 24 August 2021 on a charge of dealing in drugs.

Preliminary investigation reveals that the minibus, a rented vehicle, was traveling to Cape Town. The drugs were destined for distribution in the Cape Metropole.

Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, had nothing but praise for the vigilance of the members who pursued the perpetrators and removed the find from the streets. Lt General Patekile reaffirmed the commitment of the police to eradicate drug trafficking with the strategic deployment of police resources at entry and exit points of the province.

Source: South African Police Service