A joined operation between Crime Intelligence Gathering, the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation and the Meerensee CPF, led to the arrest of a Meerensee man for possession of dagga at an upmarket restaurant in Meerensee.
Alan Leach (38) was arrested on Wednesday at the venue after police received information he was possibly in possession of narcotics.
Police and patrollers proceeded to the restaurant, where they confronted Leach and recovered parcels of dagga and ‘magic mushrooms’.
He paid a R500 admission of guilt fine for possession of dagga at the Richards Bay District Court.
Although only a small quantity was recovered, police and prosecutors say they will drive a zero tolerance approach through various channels because of the massive scale of addiction experienced locally.
Narcotics expert W/O Ryno Louw, says the active ingredient of dagga namely tetrahydraccannabinol or THC remains illegal in South Africa and even should the substance be legalised, manufacturing and distribution will be strictly controlled and regulated.
Dagga users often mix it with other dangerous and addictive substances such as Mandrax.
Patrollers report regularly encountering heavily addicted teenagers while on nightly patrols.
The Meerensee CPF, in cooperation with Acutts and Northern Region Protection Services, is planning a massive ‘No more drugs’ campaign on 22 April from 10 am to 12 pm including a march from the Meerensee Total Garage and talks at schools.
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