SAP Richards Bay swooped down on a suspected clandestine cannabis laboratory in Breamhill, Meerensee on Friday, confiscating a large quantity of cannabis and products ready for dispatch to local and international buyers.
The merchandise included 23 cannabis oils with an estimated value of R20 000 and unprocessed cannabis still to be weighed, which were seized by forensic technicians.
No arrests were made on the scene.
Cannabis (dagga) is listed as an undesirable dependence-producing substance in the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act and includes the whole plant or portion thereof.
Police officials may, upon reasonable suspicion that an offence has been or is about to be committed in respect of a scheduled substance, enter and search any premises, vehicle, vessel or aircraft where the drug or property is suspected to be found.
They may also question any person who may be able to furnish information about an offence or alleged offence in terms of the Act and seize any item connected with or proving contravention.
In South Africa, possession, dealing and manufacturing of cannabis and its products are illegal and no legislation to the contrary has ever been passed, despite lobbying by cannabis camp fighters who claim the oil can cure cancer and other ailments and is effective as a pain killer.
The late IFP MP and constitutional law expert, Mario Ambrosini, tabled a private member’s bill, the Medical Innovation Bill, calling for the legalisation of dagga in 2014.
Ambrosini however ended his own life after battling stage four lung cancer and the campaign lost its original momentum.
Arguments against legalisation include dependency problems and increase in accidents as a result of impaired faculties.
