Thapelo Lekabe

Compiled by Thapelo Lekabe

Senior Digital Journalist


60-year-old driver found in possession of heroin worth millions

Following a tip-off, the man was nabbed when members of Operation Restore and traffic officials searched the vehicle at Klawer weighbridge. 


Following a tip-off, Western Cape police have arrested a 60-year-old man who was found in possession of an alleged haul of heroin worth an estimated R3.7 million in Klawer.

Klawer drug bust

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said the man was nabbed at the weekend when members of Operation Restore, along with traffic officials, stopped and searched a vehicle with a trailer at the Klawer weighbridge. 

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 The search followed information received about drugs allegedly hidden in a silver Jaguar and the Jetta it was carrying on a trailer. The Jaguar was en route to Cape Town. 

“The vehicle fitting the description was stopped and searched. During the search of the vehicle, they found three bags containing heroin in the boot of the vehicle.

“Upon an extended search of the Jetta, the members found 50 more bags possibly containing heroin hidden in the back seat of the vehicle. The estimated street value of the drugs is R3.7 million,” Twigg said in a statement.

The suspect was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of drugs.

He was expected to appear in the Klawer Magistrate’s Court on Monday 17 April.

Manenberg arrests

Meanwhile, a 33-year-old man was arrested on Friday evening by members of the Anti-Gang Unit deployed in the Manenberg for the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

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Twigg said the suspect was arrested after officers followed up on information about a firearm at a house in Flora Court, Manenberg. On arrival at the premises, they searched the property and confiscated a firearm with 15 rounds of ammunition.

At the same time, members of the unit also searched a house in Flora Court and arrested an 18-year-old suspect for the possession of 50 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

The suspects were expected to make their respective court appearances in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court for the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Firearm found in intelligence-driven operation

In an unrelated incident, members of the Anti-Gang Unit nabbed a 37-year-old man also on Friday evening for the possession of a “prohibited firearm”.

This after officers conducted an intelligence-driven operation that led them to a house in Sylvia Street, Lentegeur.

“The members found a firearm with the serial numbers filed off, hidden under a mattress. A 37-year-old man was arrested for the possession of a prohibited firearm.”

Meanwhile, the same members also arrested an adult male on a charge of murder following a tracing operation in Lentegeur.

The suspects will appear in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court soon.

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