How K9 Virus helped Cape Town police seize R2.7 million in drugs
A Metro Police K9 Unit operation led to the discovery of drugs with an estimated street value of more than R2.7 million in Bellville on Thursday, May 14.
Image: Metro Police
A Metro Police K9 Unit operation led to the discovery of drugs with an estimated street value of more than R2.7 million in Bellville on Thursday.
According to Cape Town Metro Police spokesperson Superintendent Ruth Solomons, officers were conducting patrols at Parksig Villas, described as a known drug hotspot, at around 1:20pm when the discovery was made.
Superintendent Solomons said K9 Virus was deployed to conduct a sweep of the parking area and soon alerted his handler to a vehicle.
"K9 Virus' handler let him out of the vehicle to conduct a sweep of the parking area, and soon enough, Virus stopped next to a vehicle, indicating to his handler that he had found something," she said.
Officers then inspected the hatchback through its windows and noticed two bags containing mandrax tablets inside the vehicle.
After obtaining permission from the Provincial Narcotics Unit to force entry into the vehicle, Superintendent Solomons said officers uncovered 51 bags of mandrax, seven loose mandrax tablets, 300g of cocaine and 300g of tik in the boot of the vehicle.
The drugs are estimated to have a street value of just over R2.7 million.
The confiscated drugs were booked in at Bellville police station as abandoned property, while the vehicle was taken to Stikland for further investigation by police.
Superintendent Solomons said K9 Virus was deployed to conduct a sweep of the parking area and soon alerted his handler to a vehicle.
Image: Metro Police
Western Cape MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, said the operation demonstrated the value of specialised policing units.
“This confiscation represents far more than just the seizure of narcotics. Every shipment of drugs removed from our streets disrupts the criminal economy, weakens gang networks and helps prevent further violence, addiction and destruction in our communities.
"The City of Cape Town has consistently shown its commitment to improving public safety through substantial investments in additional law enforcement officers, specialised units, technology, training and operational resources. These investments are yielding results and adding important policing capacity within the broader safety environment of the Western Cape,” she said.
Officers inspected the hatchback through its windows and noticed two bags containing mandrax tablets inside the vehicle.
Image: Metro Police