CAPE TOWN – Quick-thinking police officers in Bothasig uncovered a dagga cultivation laboratory after responding to a complaint from an e-hailing driver in the early hours of Sunday morning.
According to police, members of the Bothasig station accompanied the driver to a residence in Mill Street after he reported that a 31-year-old man had failed to pay for his trip. When officers arrived, they found the man and a 22-year-old companion at the property.
While engaging with the suspects, officers detected a strong smell of dagga and requested to search the premises. Inside one of the rooms, they discovered an indoor dagga cultivation setup.
Police seized 205 dagga plants, 87 rolled dagga cigarettes, 64 “birthday cake” joints, a silver scale, and a black book containing cultivation notes. Both suspects were arrested and charged with cultivating and dealing in drugs. They are expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrates’ Court today.
In a separate incident, Khayelitsha crime prevention unit members discovered drugs worth approximately R185 000 in Capital Drive, Thembani, on Monday.
While investigating a property allegedly selling liquor without a licence, police were alerted by a community member that drugs were also being sold in a flat at the back of the premises. A search led to the discovery of 3 700 Mandrax tablets.
Two men, aged 42 and 50, were arrested and are scheduled to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
