GEORGE NEWS - A routine stop-and-check operation by provincial traffic officers in George has led to the arrest of a suspected drug dealer and could help the police trace a wider network in the Garden Route. The arrest was made at about 19:08 on Thursday evening, 16 April, at the Thembalethu on-ramp on the N2 towards Pacaltsdorp.
The officers stopped a white VW Polo during the operation, searched it and uncovered three bags of compressed dagga.
They also seized R15 650 in cash, two cellphones, several SIM cards and some banking details.
A passenger was arrested and is facing charges of dealing in dagga. He was also found to be undocumented.
The suspect and the seized items were handed over to the Thembalethu Police for further investigation.
The Western Cape Chief Director of Traffic Management, Maxine Bezuidenhout, commended the officers for their work. She said the traffic officers are authorised, in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act, to act when criminal offences are uncovered during roadblocks, patrols and other operations.
“Removing illegal drugs and the proceeds of crime is critical in disrupting the drug trade in our province,” she said, adding that such crimes are often linked to reckless and dangerous behaviour on the roads.
She praised the George Traffic team for their thorough and professional handling of the operation.
More drugs and abalone seized
In a separate incident earlier this week, provincial traffic officers had another significant drug bust at the Tsitsikamma Toll Plaza on the N2 near Knysna on Monday 13 April.
The officers discovered about 15 large bags of compressed dagga during a routine stop, leading to the driver’s arrest, while a passenger fled the scene and remains at large.
The Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Isaac Sileku, commended the officers for their vigilance, noting that such operations play a key role in disrupting organised crime and preventing drugs from reaching communities.
On Tuesday 14 April, a traffic officer conducting high-visibility patrols and vehicle checks on the N2 near Grabouw, with the assistance of the Grabouw Police, stopped a light delivery vehicle near Orchard at about 10:50.
The driver appeared nervous during the stop. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the officers discovered 22 bags of abalone concealed in transparent bags and arrested the driver. The estimated street value of the abalone is R635 773.
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