Illegal traders nailed during Roodepoort blitz operation
The operation sent a clear message to street vendors that illicit trading will not be tolerated in Roodepoort.
Roodepoort police, in their second operation on Thursday, May 15, collaborated with JMPD, local security companies and CPF members to carry out a targeted operation against illegal vendors in Roodepoort.
The first target, a woman selling sweets on Ouklip Road opposite the Ridgeview Shopping Centre, has allegedly been on police’s radar for some time, since the road, though busy, sports very little in the way of foot traffic.
As the impressive convoy of police, JMPD, security, and CPF vehicles pulled up next to the makeshift stall situated under a tree at the foot of a very steep sidewalk, the startled vendor had no choice but to give up, as there was nowhere to flee.
A short search of her wares confirmed police’s suspicions, uncovering the true nature of her business: Dagga.
Cleverly hidden between packets of crisps and sweets, officers uncovered a plastic bag filled with small packets of dagga.
Also read: 23 Illegal immigrants arrested in Roodepoort blitz
While a loophole in the law, which does not specify the maximum amount of dagga one may possess for personal use makes it useless for police to arrest the perpetrator, JMPD officers were able to step in and issue a hefty fine for trading without an informal trader’s license, and confiscate the trader’s wares.
It came to light during questioning of the woman that a resident at the adjacent residential complex is the mastermind behind the small but seemingly lucrative dagga business.
The convoy set off to their next target, an infamous informal trader operating at the corner of Ouklip and Graphite Road.
The elderly trader was not found in possession of drugs, but a large quantity of cigarettes was found in his possession. Once again, JMPD officers stepped in to issue fines and confiscate goods.
This exercise was repeated at a number of further stops, including CR Swart and President Road, where multiple vendors were searched and fined, and their wares confiscated.
JMPD members, noticing a vehicle make a quick getaway at one of the makeshift shops, managed to pull the vehicle over, discovering dagga in the vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle, who makes his living doing deliveries for a well-known online retailer, was issued a hefty fine, and his vehicle was impounded for not having license plates and not being roadworthy.
