Metro Police seize drugs in Strand, Bellville

A routine traffic stop in Strand led Metro Police officers to a discovery of mandrax and crystal meth on Sunday, November 23.

According to the City, officers pulled over a driver just after 12.30pm, but he was unable to produce identification. He asked the officers to accompany him to his nearby home so he could collect the documents.

Once at the house, the man allegedly appeared nervous but denied having any illegal substances and gave police permission to search the property. Behind the fridge, officers found a plastic bag containing 54.46 grams of crystal meth, also known as tik, as well as 603 whole mandrax tablets.

The 44-year-old suspect was arrested for drug possession and detained at Lwandle police station.

In a separate incident in Bellville, the City said Metro Police officers on foot patrol, at the taxi rank, noticed three men who appeared to be engaged in a drug transaction. When officers approached, the men attempted to run away, but one was caught and found with 591 mandrax tablets in his backpack.

The 33-year-old suspect was arrested and taken to the Bellville police station for further investigation.

Mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, said the cases highlighted the scale of drug trafficking in Cape Town.

“Drugs continue to flood our streets, and many of our recent successes involve confiscating large quantities from individuals,” he said. 

Metro Police made 121 arrests and issued 2 920 fines over the past week, according to the City.