In a bid to rid communities of drugs, police in Rustenburg and Derdepoort nabbed three suspects in two separate incidents.
In the first incident, a 61-year-old man was arrested for cultivation and dealing in cannabis. It is alleged that on Friday morning, 28 April 2023, the Phokeng K9 Unit together with Rustenburg Mounted Unit followed up on information that led them to a plot along the R24 road towards Maanharand. Subsequent to the search conducted at the place, three fully operational dagga / cannabis laboratories with live plants were discovered. Furthermore, the police found a black bucket with dagga / cannabis packaged in plastic bags. As a result, 709 live plants were confiscated.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 02 May 2023.
In another unrelated incidents, two Kingdom of Eswatini foreign nationals; Nkosingiphile Masuku (31) and Moses Bong’menzi Nkambule (36) were intercepted while trying cross to Botswana with a bakkie full of dagga. It is alleged that the duo were driving from the direction of Mabeskraal towards Kopfontein Port of Entry when they were stopped by the Derdepoort land port police and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members.
Upon searching the vehicle, members found bags of dagga weighing about 25 kilograms with an estimated street value of R45 000-00 and undisclosed amount of cash. Following their apprehension, both accused made a first appearance before the Zeerust Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 28 April 2023, for dealing in dagga. They were remanded in custody until their next appearance at the same court on Tuesday, 02 May 2023 for formal bail application and their status verification in the country. Investigation into the matter continues.