S.Africa: Crime: R4.1million worth of drugs recovered, N1, Leeu Gamka
(000228.79-E000157.73NRLOSUC20V)
The strategic deployment of police and heightened visibility on major routes yielded positive results with the confiscation of more than R4,1 million worth of drugs on the N1 near Leeu Gamka on Friday, 24 December 2021 at about 15:30.
Members attached to Leeu Gamka police and Central Karoo K9, deployed as part of various Safer Festive Season operations conducted a roadblock on the N1 where they stopped a Toyota Corolla just outside the Central Karoo town.
A search of the vehicle ensued when a trained narcotic police dog reacted positively. This led to a thorough search of the motor vehicle when police detected a hidden compartment behind the back seat stashed with 11 880 kilogram of Tik.
Police confiscated the drugs and arrested the driver on a charge of dealing in drugs.
The 44-year-old suspect remains in police custody. He is expected to appear in the Prins Albert Magistrates’ court on Tuesday, 28 December on the mentioned charge.
Provincial Organised Crime Investigators (OCI) Narcotics section members deployed in Beaufort West are probing the find.
Brigadier Johan Du Toit, Beaufort West Cluster Commander, thanked the members who left their families during the festive period to ensure a successful operation. He commended the joint effort with the Western Cape Provincial Traffic to curb drug trafficking along main routes into this region.
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, has expressed gratitude and lauded the SAPS members as well as traffic officials involved with the bust. He said: “the eradication of drug trafficking along entry and exit routes of this province will continue unabated as we strive to rid communities of drugs. We welcome the continued deployment of our forces in collaboration with our counterparts to curb the influx of illicit drugs and goods into the province. This is an essential part of our Safer Festive Season operations. The heightened visibility would be maintained throughout the festive period in an effort to ensure that the public are and feel safe”