In an effort to eradicate the proliferation of drugs, police arrested a 36-year-old man who appeared in the Knysna Magistrates’ court on Thursday, 17 June 2021. The court appearance follows the discovery of drugs with an estimated street value of R46 000 at a makeshift laboratory.
On Tuesday, 15 June 2021, police were alerted about a suspicious parcel at a local courier company destined for Durban. Members attached to the Tsitsikamma K9 immediately acted on the information when they visited the premises in the central business district of Knysna. A trained police narcotics dog deployed during the initial investigation responded positively to the parcel.
Further investigation took police to the residence of the sender at Gordon Street, Knysna where a search of the premises ensued. The search resulted in the discovery of a cultivating laboratory where 446grams of magic mushrooms were found. Police confiscated the drugs, seized the harvesting and packaging equipment on site. The suspect was arrested on charges of cultivation of drugs and dealing in drugs.
He appeared in court and the matter was postponed to 30 November 2021 for further investigation. The accused was released.
Meanwhile, two suspects aged 25 and 33 also appeared in the Beaufort West Magistrates’ court on Thursday, 17 June 2021, following their arrest on a charge of dealing in drugs.
Members attached to the Provincial Organised Crime Detectives (narcotic section) were strategically deployed along the N1 on 15 June 2021. They pulled over a passenger-transporting bus. Upon searching the bus they found dagga valued at about R50 000 stashed in a sports bag.
Investigation on scene later linked the drugs to two passengers on board and they were arrested on the mentioned charge.
The case was postponed to Monday, 21 June 2021 for bail information and the accused remains in custody.
