Cops have dealt the holiday drug trade in Cape Town a massive blow when they nabbed a 51-year-old suspected dealer in Worcester this week.
The man appeared in court on Thursday after a police dog sniffed out 20 000 mandrax tablets worth R800 000 in his larney van.
Cops say the man, 51, was en route to Cape Town when his Mercedes-Benz Vito was pulled over in Worcester.
Provincial police management has commended members of the Breede River K9 Unit, especially its sniffer dog Snoekie for the significant bust.
According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel André Traut, on Tuesday officers reacted to information received that a white Merc van was headed in the direction of Cape Town with drugs, ostensibly for sale during the holidays.
“The target vehicle was searched by Snoekie and his handler.
“The dog reacted to drugs in a sealed compartment which led to the discovery of 20 000 mandrax tablets.
“A man from Welgelegen was arrested and is expected to make a court appearance in Worcester,” Traut said.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, Traut said members of the Manenberg SAPS’ Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) arrested a man after he was allegedly found to be in possession of an unlicensed firearm without a serial number.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court on charges of possessing a prohibited firearm and ammunition.