Potchefstroom – A suspected grower has been arrested in a police swoop on at a small holding in Vyfhoek, Potchefstroom, North West, where they found a dagga hydroponic lab and plants with an estimated street value of R10 million.
During the search, the police also found two rifles (one self-made), ammunition, and three homemade explosive devices (two hand grenades and one small pipe bomb).
Twenty-nine-year-old Michael Cilliers appeared before the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, (19 November 2024), for unlawful possession of a firearm and explosives as well as unlawfully cultivating and dealing in dagga.
Apart from the Hydroponic lab – where dagga plants were being cultivated, the police found other plants in flower pots.
Cilliers was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Wednesday, (4 December 2024)
Narrating events leading to Cilliers arrest, North West police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said: “A search warrant was obtained and operationalised on Thursday, (14 November 2024), by the Drug Task Team, BIU Security Company, and Provincial Organised Crime Unit”.
Lieutenant Colonel Funani added: “The team proceeded to an identified address at a small holding in Vyfhoek, Potchefstroom”.
The team of law enforcers out to curb the proliferation of illegal weapons and drugs uncovered the hydroponic lab, the dagga plants, and the illegal firearms.
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the team of law enforcers for the dagga bust and arrest of a suspect, which he said would send out a strong message that “crime does not pay”.
Crime can be reported on the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or the MySAPS application anonymously.
Extortion-related incidents can be reported on the Extortion hotline on 080 091 1011.
