This became apparent when Diran Zacharan (24) appeared at Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Friday last week for dealing in dagga.

“Zacharan was arrested in Table view by the Hawks led multidisciplinary team during a disruptive operation undertaken by the team on Thursday,” said Hawks spokesperson, Captain Philani Nkwalase.

“A third and fully operational hydroponic dagga lab was uncovered with a total of 95 dagga plants worth R95 000 in Table view, Cape Town.”

This follows after two others that were dismantled at small holding farm in Mikpunt Klipheuwel and in Palm Beach Harbour Island last December and February respectively.

Capt Nkwalase said that Zacharan was arrested at his Table view premises for the allegedly dealing in dagga connected to the operating and cultivating hydroponic dagga lab.

“Furthermore, over R20 000 cash notes was also recovered during the search and seizure at the suspects’ residence.”

The case against Zacharan was postponed to 23 May for further investigation whilst he was released on R2000 bail.

Dagga – just how legal is it now

Whether you agree with the ruling or not, and whether or not you personally have ever had (or intend to have) anything to do with cannabis/marijuana/weed/dagga, we all need to be aware of the implications.

Any form of supply or purchase, even in private, and any possession or use by a minor (under 18), anywhere, would still put you at risk of a criminal record and heavy penalties.

Read more on the legalities around dagga growing and use in South Africa here.

Follow more RNEWS articles, subscribe to our YouTube channel and for breaking news LIKE us on Facebook. For news on the Western Cape click here.

The post Hawks target hydroponic dagga labs in Cape Town appeared first on RNEWS.

They were arrested for being in possession of mandrax tablets valued at around R200 000.

“Delft Crime Prevention Unit members followed up on information of drugs and an unlicensed firearm at a residence in Nietgewerk Street and conducted a search operation,” described police spokesperson, Lt Col Andre Traut.

“The search led to the arrest of two suspects, a 54-year-old male and a 30-year-old female and the seizure of eight bags of madrax tablets and an unlicensed 9mm firearm.”

37 bags with mandrax tablets worth R1 million found in Delft

Lt Col Traut said that while the members were on this crime scene, they received further information that more drugs were stored at another house further down the same street.

“The members followed up this information and at the second house they found 37 big bags of mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of around R1 million. No one was arrested there.”

He said that the circumstances surrounding the matter are currently under investigation and the suspects are due to make a court appearance in Blue Downs once they have been charged.

The 2018 International Narcotics Control Report ranked South Africa as the largest market for the sale of illicit drugs in Southern Africa.

Published by the United States’ Department of State to Congress the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy (INCS) Report says most illicit drugs shipped to sub-Sahara Africa are destined for South Africa.

Follow more RNEWS articles, subscribe to our YouTube channel and for breaking news LIKE us on Facebook. For news on the Western Cape click here.

The post Mandrax worth over R1.2 million seized in Delft, Cape Town appeared first on RNEWS.

“Sokaba was arrested during in a disruptive operation on the N2, in Sedgefield, on his ways to George from the Eastern Cape,” said Hawks spokesperson, Captain Philani Nkwalase.

The Hawks led an integrated team that included SAPS crime intelligence, the Langeberg K9 Unit and Eden Cluster Combating Team in the bust.

R900 500 dagga bust on the N2

“He was driving a hired vehicle which was found loaded with about 472 kg of dagga, contained in 17 bags, valued around R900 500,” Capt Nkwalase said.

“He appeared briefly at the Knysna Magistrate’s Court and was incarcerated pending his next appearance on the 13 March 2019.”

Follow more RNEWS articles, subscribe to our YouTube channel and for breaking news LIKE us on Facebook. For news on the Western Cape click here.

The post Man busted on N2 with dagga worth over R900k to apply for bail appeared first on RNEWS.

“The members searched the house and a 24-year-old suspect was arrested,” said police spokesperson,  Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana.

“Once charged, the suspect will appear in court.”

Huge ammunition cache found at Gordon’s Bay house

She said that further investigation led the members to another address on Beach Road, Gordon’s Bay.

“No one was at the house when police arrived, the care-taker opened the door and the members found a total of 2 000 9mm projectiles; 21-Shots gun rounds; 289 9mm rounds; 22 rounds-286,2000 9mm cartridges and a Hunting rifle, four bags of dagga and 6-9mm magazines,” Sgt Rwexana said.

“A projectile manufacturing reloading machine was also seized.”

She said that further investigation has been taken over by the Hawks detectives.

Follow more RNEWS articles, subscribe to our YouTube channel and for breaking news LIKE us on Facebook. For news on the Western Cape click here.

The post Huge ammo cache and drugs seized in Gordon’s Bay appeared first on RNEWS.

“The members approached the vehicle that was at the time, being washed by the suspects, and when the suspects saw the police they started to run,” said police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana.

“One suspect, aged 24, was apprehended.”

She said that abalone worth an estimated street value of R370 000 was confiscated.

“Once charged, the suspect will appear in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court.”

Follow more RNEWS articles, subscribe to our YouTube channel and for breaking news LIKE us on Facebook. For news on the Western Cape click here.

The post Athlone police seize abalone worth R370 000 appeared first on RNEWS.

“They followed up on information and searched a vehicle that was parked at an address,” police said.

“The members discovered an unlicensed firearm and ammunition as well as an assortment of drugs worth a substantial amount.”

Bishop Lavis man expected in court

The post Drugs, unlicensed firearm and ammo seized in Bishop Lavis appeared first on RNEWS.

“The suspect has been charged with possession of drugs and has appeared at Ashton Magistrate’s Court,” said police spokesperson, Captain Lindikhaya Mkhontwana.

“Two suspects were arrested at Ceres by the Worcester Cluster Fiela Team and confiscated eight bags of dagga estimated at R8 000.

“The suspects have appeared already at Ceres Magistrate Court after they were charged with dealing in dagga.”

Worcester Operation Fiela team arrest suspects in De Doorns

Meanwhile, two suspects were also arrested at De Doorns with 54 tik straws, 31 cuts of mandrax tablets and 17 mandrax full tablets estimated at R8 700.

“They have appeared at De Doorns Magistrate’s Court for possession of drugs.”

Capt Mkhontwana said that a suspect was arrested in Wolseley by Worcester Cluster Fiela Team with 100 mandrax tablets estimated at R8 000.

“The suspect has already appeared in Wolseley Magistrate’s Court for possession of drugs,” she described.

“Four suspects were also arrested in Wolseley with tik straws, mandrax tablets and 28 cuts of mandrax estimated at R1400 during a house raid with a search warrant.

“They are expected to appear at Wolseley Magistrate’s Court after they have been charged with possession of drugs.”

Follow more RNEWS articles, subscribe to our YouTube channel and for breaking news LIKE us on Facebook. For news on the Western Cape click here.

The post Worcester Operation Fiela team arrest suspects for drugs appeared first on RNEWS.

“The suspect was stopped and searched and the members found in his possession a .22 Browning pistol.

“The suspect, a 19-year-old man, was arrested,” said police spokesperson, Lt Col Andre Traut.

He said that in an unrelated incident on Friday afternoon, at about 17:35 members attached to the Mitchell’s Plain Crime prevention unit conducted a search at a house in Arsenal Street, Tafelsig.

Mitchells Plain woman tried to flush tik down toilet

“This is after they received an anonymous tip off that drugs were being stored at the house,” Lt Col Traut said.

“Upon the members arrival, they searched the premises and they saw how the suspect tried to flush 51 small packets of tik down the toilet.

“The members managed to retrieve the tik and they arrested a 44-year-old woman.”

He said that both suspects will appear on Monday, in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrates’ Court. They face charges relating to possession of tik and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Follow more RNEWS articles, subscribe to our YouTube channel and for breaking news LIKE us on Facebook. For news on the Eastern Cape click here.

The post Woman arrested in Mitchells Plain trying to flush away tik appeared first on RNEWS.

“On Wednesday, at about 18:15, whilst doing patrols in St Ambrose Circle, St Montague Village, members of the local Crime Prevention Unit noticed a suspicious looking man in the road,” said police spokesperson, Captain FC Van Wyk.

Steenberg police find packets of tik

“Members stopped and searched the 28-year-old male and found 156 packets containing Tik in his possession.”

As a result, the suspect was arrested by the Steenberg police officers.

He appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s court on Thursday on a charge of possession of Tik.

The post Steenberg police arrest man for possession of tik appeared first on RNEWS.

“The cell phones and the lap top are suspected to be some of the valuables that were stolen from the truck which was recovered in Delft,” said police spokesperson, Captain FC Van Wyk.

“The woman is the girlfriend of the suspect that is wanted in connection with the hijacking.

“Prior to this recovery the team visited the suspect’s home in Zwelitsha, Nyanga, and recovered cell phones, 19 CELL C sim cards and a WiFi.”

Suspect also wanted for Nyanga hijackings

This suspect is also wanted in other recent hijackings which had occurred in the Nyanga Cluster.

“Once charged, she is due to appear in court for the illegal possession of ammunition as well as possession of stolen property.”

The members were applauded for their efforts in the fight against crime especially in saving lives because a lot of innocent people would have been killed with these rounds.

The post 700 rounds, cellphones, sim cards and laptops seized in Nyanga appeared first on RNEWS.