2017
R1-20/FREE
24 March
Massive dagga find has
cops in a tizzy
The police confiscated 100kg of dagga with a street value of between R10 000 and R30 000 last week. Photo: Ronél van Jaarsveld Ronél van Jaarsveld The Modimolle police were surprised to come across a massive stash of dagga last week during an operation aimed at rounding up illegal immigrants in the Doornkom area. On Thursday, 16 March, during the
operation, police officers came across a small dagga field next to a farmhouse. The inhabitants were not at home at the time. Officials acted quickly to tear out and confiscate the plants, and it is estimated that there was about 100 kg of the drug in the field, with a street value of between R10 000 and R30 000.
The two residents, Roeloff Schlieben (50) and Albertus de Klerk (51), were arrested on Friday, 17 March, and paid admission of guilt fines or R1 500 each. “They will still have criminal records, even though they paid the fines without appearing in court,” said Warrant Officer Findlay of the Modimolle police. The discovery of the dagga was made
during part of a larger operation during which several police departments cooperated to reduce crime in the area. In Bela-Bela, Modimolle, Groblersdal, Burgersfort, Seshego, Magatle, and Phalaborwa, 32 wanted suspects were apprehended. These suspects were involved with, among other things, drug trafficking and hijackings.