CRIME SCENE: Uppington, Northern Cape: A police officer’s sharp senses and a tiring hitch hiker has led to the arrest of the latter.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) a warrant officer, who is a member of the Upington Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, was travelling from Kimberley towards Upington.

According to SAPS he stopped beside the road to make a phone call when an unknown, suspicious-looking male approached and asked him for a lift. 

“The officer detected a strong smell of dagga emanating from the individual’s bags. To avoid raising suspicion, the quick-thinking officer offered him a lift and accepted a payment of R200 for the ride, treating it as a paid transaction.

“During the journey, the 29-year-old suspect fell asleep, and the officer proceeded directly to Upington Police Station to obtain proper assistance in conducting a search. The search revealed 60 Mandrax tablets valued at R6 000, a bag of high-grade dagga valued at R5 000 and loose dagga valued at R500 in his possession. The suspect was immediately placed under arrest for possession of drugs,” said SAPS.