Dagga plantation discovered in Zungwini

TWO truck-loads of cannabis with an estimated street value of R50 000 were seized from a Vryheid plantation and destroyed on Friday morning.

The Crime Intelligence Unit was informed of the plantation, which was situated along the Natal Spa Road in the Zungwini area, by a member of the public.

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The Vryheid Dog Unit and Crime Prevention acted on the tip-off, arriving at the plantation early on Friday morning and only leaving after pulling all the plants out of the ground. One arrest was made.

Vryheid SAPS communications officer, Captain Cheryl Venter, said the tall plants had been flattened in an attempt to conceal them from view and more plants were found already drying in a shed.

This success follows the confiscation of a large amount of cocaine, CAT, heroin and black tar by the Ulundi Task Team the previous week, demonstrating that local police are serious about clamping down on the sale of illicit drugs.

People who use large quantities of cannabis may become sedated or disoriented and may experience toxic psychosis, not knowing who they are, where they are, or what time it is. High doses may also cause fluctuating emotions, fragmentary thoughts, paranoia, panic attacks, hallucinations and feelings of unreality.

“Cannabis is still illegal and can be addictive. If you know someone who is smoking, ask them to stop smoking for a day and see if they can. Imagine how much harder it is to stop a drug addiction,” warned Captain Venter.