K9 Unit sniffs out Dagga in Malmesbury

I am extremely proud of the K9-Unit officers, K Abrahamse and A Swelindawo, along with their sniffer dogs, Loftus and Nina, respectively, for ensuring that during a Vehicle Checkpoint Operation (VCP) in Klipheuwel Road, Malmesbury this past Wednesday, 500 dagga bankies with an approximate street value of R 10 000 could be confiscated.

During the VCP, the 18 officers who consisted of 7 SAPS, 4 K9 and 7 Traffic and Law Enforcement members saw two taxis initially stopping some distance away from the VCP point before making a sharp U-turn. Suspecting something sinister, the officers gave chase in the SAPS vans and escorted the vehicles back to the VCP. The K9’s with their sharp noses then sprang into action. Their excellent sense of smell helped uncover the illicit items, which led to the arrest of an adult male for dealing in dagga.

On the day fines were also issued for:

• 4 x unlicensed drivers
• 3 x Transporting passengers without Professional Drivers Permit (PrDP)
• 1 x Public Transport---No Operating License
• 1 x driving a motor vehicle with the wrong driving license code for said vehicle. 

This success is exactly why we have the K9-Unit for the West Coast District. To date, the Western Cape Government has already funded the Unit with over R 13 million. The primary objective of the Unit is to provide support and assistance to SAPS and other role-players with the detection and searching of contraband, explosive devices, firearms and ammunition, and this played itself out for all to see on Wednesday.

I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to the Swartland Mayor, Alderman Harold Cleophas, the Deputy Mayor Anet De Beer, the MAYCO Member for Protection Services, Councillor Albert Warnick, the officials and all Law Enforcement officers for their excellent work in not only creating a safer Swartland, but an entire Western Cape. This is a big win for the area, as it ensures that fewer drugs are able to enter communities. I trust that the suspect will face the full might of the law.

I’m looking forward to seeing more successes of this nature so that we can remove these criminal elements off our streets and ensure that our people are able to live in a safer environment and dignified manner.