Clamp down on drug outlets in George leads to confiscations and arrests

A clamp down on drugs at several drug outlets by various police units in George led to the arrest of six suspects and the confiscation of mandrax, dagga and tik.

On Thursday, 26 October 2023 at about 10:40 George Visible Policing responded to information of illicit drugs in a vehicle parked along Market Street, George. The vehicle was taken to the police station where a search of the vehicle ensued and 219 mandrax tablets were found concealed inside. A 43-year-old man was arrested in connection with the seizure and is facing a charge of dealing in drugs.

Meanwhile, on Friday, 27 October 2023 at about 14:00, vigilant members attached to the Garden Route Crime Combatting Team (GRCCT) and George Public Order Police (POP) embarked on an operation at the George Taxi Rank following a tipoff from the public. The members searched a container and found 11 mandrax tablets, one half mandrax tablet and 985 grams of tik. This discovery led to the arrest of a 43 year old man on a charge of dealing in drugs. Two more suspects, aged 22 and 43 were also arrested at the Taxi Rank on charges of possession of drugs after small quantities of mandrax and tik were found in their possession.

Furthermore, later the same day, 27 October 2023 at about 21:30, the GRCCT members operationalised information when they pounced on a house at Melford Notshokovu Street, Lawaaikamp. The team immediately proceeded with a search of two houses on the yard which led to the confiscation of 300 mandrax tablets. They subsequently arrested the 36-year-old occupant of the premises on a charge of dealing in drugs.

Yesterday, 28 OCTOBER 2023, this operation continued when members on patrol spotted a man selling dagga at Doneraile Street, George. They immediately approached him and found dagga in his possession. The 24-year-old suspect was arrested on a charge of dealing in drugs and the dagga confiscated.

The suspects remain in custody and they are all expected to make their first court appearances in the local courts on Monday, 30 October 2023.

These arrests form part of continued efforts by police in the Western Cape to rid communities of drugs which have a detrimental effect on many households in the Province.