OUDTSHOORN NEWS - Nine suspects were arrested during a five-day intelligence-driven operation targeting illicit drug outlets in Oudtshoorn and Dysselsdorp.
The operation, conducted from Tuesday, 15 September, to Saturday, 19 September, involved members of the Garden Route District Crime Combatting Team, George Public Order Police, the Oudtshoorn Crime Prevention Unit, Crime Intelligence and Dysselsdorp police.
According to Warrant Officer Christopher Spies, police spokesperson, officers conducted targeted searches at Thabo Mbeki Square in Bongolethu, Rose Valley, Bridgetown, and two premises in Dysselsdorp.
Police confiscated 118 Mandrax tablets, 51 halves, 112g of Tik and 18 bankies of Tik, with the drugs having an estimated street value of R35 000.
Police also seized several power tools and other items suspected to have been stolen during an operation at Donkerhoek in Dysselsdorp.
The largest drug seizure was made on Saturday when police descended on a premises at Thabo Mbeki Square in Bongolethu.
Armed with a search warrant, officers searched the premises and found 100g of Tik. A man was arrested and is facing a charge of dealing in drugs.
In a separate operation, members of the Central Karoo Flying Squad conducted a vehicle checkpoint on the Prince Albert Road at the entrance to Prince Albert.
A passenger bus was stopped and searched, resulting in the discovery of three travel bags containing 11 parcels of dagga. Police said the drugs were positively linked to a passenger on the bus.
The suspects, aged between 23 and 56, are expected to appear in the respective courts once they have been formally charged.
Police said the operations form part of ongoing efforts to disrupt the illicit drug trade and combat substance abuse in communities.
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