Suspect held for fourth time in two years – for tik valued at R10 000

A MAN has been arrested for the fourth time in just two years after police recovered tik worth about R10 000 as well as more than R4 000 in cash at premises in Scottsdene, Kraaifontein.

Metro police officers, along with the SAPS, were acting on a tip-off from the public.

Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith said the man was among 75 people arrested on a range of charges, including drunk driving and possession of drugs and unlicensed firearms.

“During the same operation, a suspect was arrested at a known drug house in Eikendal, Kraaifontein, after he was caught trying to flush 19 bankies of tik and mandrax tablets down the toilet,” Smith said.

He said another suspect was arrested in Athlone after officers found mandrax and dagga hidden in the handlebars of his bicycle.

Another man was arrested after his girlfriend tipped off authorities, who found tik and cocaine worth R10 000 hidden in the ceiling at his home in Lwandle, Strand.

“These stories not only show what lengths these drug runners and dealers will go to in a bid to evade the law, but reveal weaknesses in our justice system, given that our officers have arrested the same person four times in two years and yet he is still continuing his nefarious activities,” Smith said.

The failure by the criminal justice system to achieve convictions was a critical problem, and lay at the heart of the crime and gangsterism plaguing communities. “In Hanover Park, a suspect on a scooter was found hiding dagga in his helmet,” Smith said.

Police also confiscated a firearm and arrested a suspect after a shooting incident in Hanover Park. During followup patrols, the officers recovered an abandoned 9mm Norinco Star firearm and seven rounds of ammunition.

“This brings to four the number of firearms removed from the streets in the last week. Officers on patrol in Bellville caught two suspects and confiscated two illegal firearms and ammunition on Wednesday. It later emerged that the men were suspects in an ATM bombing in the CBD,” Smith said.