Drug operation

The City of Cape Town’s law agencies conducted an operation in several gang-stricken areas as part of an integrated policing operation last week.

Cape Town Metro police department’s gang and drug task team, special investigations unit, traffic roadblock unit, law enforcement social housing unit as well as the law enforcement vice and liquor squads searched houses in Lavender Hill, Grassy Park, Ottery, Steenberg, Lotus River, Hanover Park and Manenberg on Wednesday May 17.

Officers executed search warrants at 10 houses where it is suspected that drugs are sold; stopped 185 vehicles; screened 120 drivers for alcohol consumption and searched 40 people and 15 vehicles.

They arrested 19 people in drug-related cases and dealt with 156 speeding motorists.

They also issued 88 traffic fines, eight compliance notices in terms of rental stock units, three notices for illegal alcohol sales and 13 fines for solicitation.

Drugs confiscated included 24 packets of tik, 53 mandrax tablets, 18 units of heroin, 114 bankies of dagga, a parcel of dagga and 106 dagga stoppe.

JP Smith, the City’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, and social services, said many of the complaints attended to came from tips from the public.

“We appreciate the willingness of some community members to help address social ills in their areas. The City will continue with this type of disruptive policing as it not only ensures a visible presence in gang-stricken communities, but also presents an opportunity to make arrests and gather more intelligence in the process,”said Ms Smith.