Cape Town – A motorist was arrested after he offered police officers R400 to escort him past a roadblock along the N1, Beaufort West.
The diligent cops refused the bribe and instead searched the motorist’s car and found illicit Mandrax tablets packed in plastic bags.
As many as 30 bags of the drug worth an estimated R1,5 million were recovered.
Narrating events leading to Friday’s drug bust on the freeway, Sergeant Christopher Spies said police officers from the Western Cape Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Narcotics Section were doing routine checks on vehicles in Beaufort West.
“At about 09H30 members of the team were busy with routine vehicle checks along the N1 when they spotted a silver Toyota Corolla, parked at a petrol filling station,” recalled Sergeant Spies.
When the driver of the Toyota Corolla noticed the police were watching him, he began acting suspiciously.
Sergeant Spies said the police officers approached the driver “who then offered them R400 to escort him past traffic officials patrolling the highway”.
“The vigilant members arrested the suspect on a bribery charge and proceeded with a search of his vehicle and found 30 000 mandrax tablets in bags concealed in the boot and panels of the vehicle.”
Police confiscated the find and seized the vehicle.
The suspect remains in police custody. He is expected to make his first court appearance in the local court on Monday, 30 January 2023 on charges of dealing in drugs and bribery.
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, praised those involved in the arrest.
“Police will continue to deploy more boots on the ground to rid communities of drugs which poses a threat to the safety of our rural and vulnerable communities,” said Lt. Gen. Patekile.
“Whilst we commemorate National Police Day, our members should at all times maintain a high standard of service delivery and endurance, whilst also taking care of their safety and wellbeing.
“This is of paramount importance not only to the police, but also to their families as well as the people of South Africa.”
