Drug bust leads to riot in Maraiskamp

GEORGE NEWS - All hell broke loose in Maraiskamp, Conville, on Thursday 9 March when a riot broke out after a man, Deon Kamfer (37), was arrested in possession of nearly 200 Mandrax tablets and other drugs.

It is alleged that the riot was initiated by a group that is believed to be working for Kamfer and according to community members, some are used as runners for his drug trade.

Members of the public order police (Pops) had to intervene with stun grenades and rubber bullets. Shots could be clearly heard in Conville and Rosemoor as members of the public fled for their homes.

Two people, aged 17 and 29, were also arrested for publice violence. The 17-year-old was later released and the 29-year-old was kept in custody.

During the riot, the main road was blocked with stones and burning tyres and Go George bus services were also temporarily suspended in the area due to the unrest.

Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies confirmed that the riot took place shortly after the arrest of the owner of a premises where tik and Mandrax tablets were confiscated.

"Available information indicates that members of the crime prevention unit carried out a search and seizure operation in Maraiskamp at around 15:40," Spies said.

"The operation led to the confiscation of tik and Mandrax tablets with the arrest of the owner of the premises. A group later gathered and blocked the road with burning tyres. The police used rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse the crowd," he said.

According to unconfirmed information, the suspect (Kamfer) was arrested in possession of 197 Mandrax tablets, about 50 bankies of tik and other drugs including dagga, other small amounts of tik and MDMA (Ecstasy) tablets.

The arrest took place at his house in Sardyn Street, Maraiskamp. Kamfer appeared in the George Magistrate's Court the following day where he was released on R30 000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for 12 April.

The case serves in front of Magistrate Nelson Maluadzi. Ashtrid Michaels is for the state and the accused is represented by Bradley Michaels of Van Rooyen Attorneys.

The confiscated drugs.