A K9 operation at the Tienie Meyer Bypass informal settlement in Bellville on Thursday, 21 May, led to the arrest of a 34-year-old man and the seizure of nearly 3 000 Mandrax tablets with a street value of more than R130 000.
Metro Police spokesperson Superintendent Ruth Solomons said officers received a tip-off shortly before midday about drugs allegedly being stored at the premises. After obtaining permission from the occupant to search the property, officers initially found four Mandrax tablets — two on a bed and two concealed under blankets.
The metro police K9 unit was called in to assist. The Bellville Community Policing Forum (CPF), which subsequently liaised with Sgt Ricky Leukes of the Bellville CPU, confirmed the tip-off suggested a larger quantity of drugs was present on the premises.
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K9 Bunny led its handler, Const T Williams, to a black bag hidden behind a cupboard, Solomons said. Further searching uncovered additional drugs concealed inside a wall, along with ammunition that had been built into the wall and a cellphone wrapped in foil.
Items seized
The following items were recovered from the property:
- 2 998 Mandrax tablets;
- One small packet of crushed Mandrax;
- 14 live .22 rounds of ammunition;
- One iPhone 14 — later confirmed stolen and linked to an open case at the Kraaifontein police and
- more than R5 000 in cash.
The man was arrested and detained at Bellville Police Station for further investigation. Leukes described the operation as a team effort. The arresting officers were assisted by K9 handler Const T Williams and K9 Bunny. Ward 10 Neighbourhood Safety Officers also participated in the operation.
Second major bust in a week
The operation comes exactly one week after K9 Virus uncovered a drug stash worth more than R2,7 million in a parked vehicle at Parksig Villas, also in Bellville.
The Bellville CPF commended all teams involved in the operation.
“As the Bellville Community Policing Forum, we would like to thank all the teams involved for their continued efforts in addressing drug-related crime within our communities,” the forum said.
