Police clamp down on drugs in the southern cape with operation “vhuthu hawe” in full swing

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Operation “Vhuthu Hawe” saw various police units deployed throughout the Southern Cape to crime stricken areas over the weekend. These units clamped down on drug outlets in George and Oudtshoorn.

George Taxi Rank

The operation commenced on Friday afternoon when Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape Major General Thembisile 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 illegal immigrant. These forces confiscated 881gram of dagga, 30 packets of Tik and 23 Mandrax tablets.

Arrest of suspect at George taxi rank.

Oudtshoorn and Dysselsdorp

Later the same day, an intelligence driven operation took members attached to the Attaqua K9 and Eden Cluster Crime Combatting 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 a 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 R14619.10 allegedly 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.

Some of the confiscated drugs and cash.

Hiking spot

Meanwhile, yesterday (Saturday 26 June) 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 amongst the luggage of the man.

The police confiscated the drugs and subsequently arrested the suspect. He is facing a charge of possession of drugs.

Confiscated dagga

Parkdene, George

The morning of 27 June the same POP members swiftly responded to a tipoff 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 will appear in various local courts once charged.

Major General Thembisile Patekile, applauded these forces for their efforts to remove drugs from the streets: “We want to assure the public that similar operations will be maintained in the province as part of efforts to eradicate substance abuse”.

Some of the confiscated drugs.