Clamp down operations against illicit drug outlets at taxi ranks and routes in George and Oudtshoorn in the Garden Route District, yielded positive results with the arrests of five suspects for drug related offences over the past weekend. These Integrated intelligence-driven operations conducted between George and Oudtshoorn Saps, Garden Route District Crime Combatting Team and Crime Intelligence led to the confiscation of more than R100 000 worth of drugs.
On Friday, 08 September 2023 at about 15:30 police pounced on the George Taxi Rank following a string of covert operations conducted at the premises. The members arrested a 23-year-old suspect on a charge of dealing in drugs. Small quantities of Mandrax and Tik were confiscated.
A search of two more persons found in the vicinity led to the confiscation of 13 sachets of tik and a Mandrax tablet found in their possession. The suspects 37 and 43 were arrested on a charge of possession of drugs. Two more undocumented persons aged 31 and 41 were taken into custody.
Later the same day of 8th September 2023, Garden Route Crime Combatting Team members operationalised intelligence and proceeded to a hiking spot at the entrance to George on the N12. A search of a man led to the confiscation of 300 grams of tik found in his possession. The 28-year-old suspect was subsequently arrested on a charge of dealing in Tik.
Meanwhile on Saturday, 09 September 2023, Garden Route Rural Flying Squad members pulled over a minibus taxi outside Oudtshoorn following information received about a known drug peddler. A search of the man ensued, however no drugs were found in his possession. The vigilant police members took the man to a nearby medical facility where 20 grams of Tik was retrieved from his body. He was arrested on a charge of possession of drugs.
These arrests and confiscations forms part of policing efforts to rid communities of drugs and to eradicate drug trafficking in the region.
All arrested are expected to make their first court appearances on Monday, 11 September 2023.
Content retrieved from: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=48321.
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