- Western Cape police have seized drugs worth more than R18 million in Milnerton, Cape Town.
- A 40-year-old man was arrested during the raid.
- Police also confiscated guns and ammunition from the property.
The sheer volume of drugs seized in a single bust in a Cape Town suburb this week reflects the extent of the drug scourge in Milnerton, the chairperson of a local policing forum believes. And the local residents' association agrees.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said police confiscated drugs worth more than R18 million in Burcell Street in Tijgerhof in Milnerton on Wednesday.
"A 40-year-old man was arrested during the operation. At the property in Burcell Street, Tijgerhof, police found 52kg of crystal meth, estimated at R18.2 million. They also found 8 850 mandrax tablets (valued at R442 500) and dagga worth an estimated R40 000," Potelwa said.
"Three pistols and a revolver, as well as 286 rounds of ammunition, were also confiscated in the operation," Potelwa added.
The man is expected to appear in court on Friday.
"As the investigation continues, the possibility of more arrests and further charges against the suspect in custody, cannot be ruled out," Potelwa said.
Mark Lindsell, the Milnerton Community Policing Forum's chairperson, commended the police officers for a job well done and added that drugs were a big concern for residents in the area.
"In this day and age, to come across this kind of haul [of drugs] reflects the size of the problem in the area," Lindsell said.
Bouwe van der Eems, the vice-chairperson of the Milnerton Central Ratepayers' Association, said residents suspected that organised crime activities, such as drug dealing and the operation of brothels, took place in "certain hotspots". He added that there were also several abalone busts in the area due to the proximity of the harbour.
More operations are expected to take place, according to Potelwa.
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