Western Cape Crime
Two men, woman arrested for dealing in drugs
Dagga lab bust in Paarl
CRIME SCENE: Paarl, Western Cape: The South African Police Service (SAPS) have discovered a secret dagga laboratory following an operation by Crime Intelligence and the Paarl Crime Prevention Unit.
According to SAPS the team executed a search and seizure warrant at a house in De Villiers Street, Lemoenkloof, on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, at about 10:30.
“They found two men aged 32 and 38-years and a 44-year-old female on the premises. Large amounts of various cannabis products, cannabis plants, magic mushrooms and equipment used to cultivate cannabis were found.
“The three suspects were arrested for dealing in drugs and will appear before the Paarl Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 29 October 2026,” said SAPS.
Vehicle checkpoint leads to discovery of marijuana
Bus driver nabbed for dagga
CRIME SCENE: Prince Albert, Western Cape: The South African Police Service (SAPS) have arrested a bus driver after dagga was discovered on a long distance bus.
According to SAPS a vehicle checkpoint at Prince Albert resulted in the seizure of 2 057 grams of dagga on Thursday, 1 October 2026.
“Members of the Flying Squad searched a long-distance bus travelling from Mthatha to Cape Town and found a bag containing the dagga with an estimated street value of R20 570. One of the bus drivers, aged 48-years, was arrested on the spot for dealing in dagga,” said SAPS.
Narcotics found in sealed packet of chips
Cop and dad nabbed for drugs
CRIME SCENE: Paarl, Western Cape: A police constable who allegedly tried to hide drugs in a packet of chips has been arrested with his father.
The 26-year-old constable and his father will appear before the Paarl Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 14 September 2026.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) the two suspects were on their way to Worcester when they were intercepted by Paarl police, who had received intelligence about suspected drug activity.
“The vehicle was searched and a narcotics detection dog detected drugs in a sealed packet of chips. Inside were 30 grams of crystal meth (Tik) and 15 grams of cocaine. Both suspects were arrested for possession of drugs.
“Western Cape SAPS management welcomes the arrest and assures the public of its commitment to rooting out criminality within the organisation,” said SAPS.
Almost 60 000 Mandrax and 5kg cocaine found in vehicle
Police make huge drug bust on N1
CRIME SCENE: Beaufort West, Western Cape: There was no escape for a middle-aged man on the N1 highway when the police pounced and recovered drugs worth more than R5 million.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) responded swiftly to information about a consignment of drugs being transported on the N1 in Beaufort West.
On Thursday, 10 September 2026, at about 22:40, members attached to the Western Cape Organised Crime Investigations unit, Crime Intelligence and Beaufort West Police conducted an intelligence-driven operation when they intercepted a vehicle on the N1 highway.
According to SAPS the members brought the vehicle to a halt and proceeded with a search, when they found a large quantity of Mandrax tablets and cocaine.
“Police confiscated 57 000 Mandrax tablets, as well as 5 kilograms of cocaine, and arrested the driver of the vehicle on a charge of dealing in drugs. The estimated street value of the drugs is R5,85 million.
“The 46-year-old suspect remains in police custody and is expected to make his first court appearance in the Beaufort West Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 14 September 2026,” said SAPS.
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sizakhele Dyantyi, lauded the efforts of the members to curb the influx of illicit drugs into vulnerable communities in the province.