R630K drug bust on N2

Yesterday morning two men were arrested in possession of cocaine worth an estimated R630 000 at a vehicle checkpoint outside Grahamstown.

Provincial police spokesperson Lt. Khaya Tonjeni said the men, aged between 36-42 years, were charged with possession of around 1.8 kg cocaine.

He said the Grahamstown K9 and Highway patrol task team pulled over a Toyota Corolla travelling towards Port Elizabeth at 7.45am yesterday.

“They noticed it did not have a number plate on the front. The members searched the front bonnet and noticed a packet hidden below the front windscreen wipers.

“On further investigation the members discovered three neatly wrapped parcels containing cocaine. The two suspects tried to bribe the officials by offering R12 000 that was hidden in a shoe in the back seat of their vehicle,” said Tonjeni.

Grahamstown police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said the men were arrested and charged with possession of drugs and bribing an officer of the law. Their vehicle was confiscated for further inspection.

The men, Nigerian nationals, are expected to appear in the magistrate’s court in Grahamstown on Monday 5 December. The vehicle check point is part of the Cluster Task Team festive season operations.

Grahamstown Cluster Commander, Brigadier David Kanuka congratulated his officers for the arrest and said police would continue to rid Grahamstown of crime and drug running.