A hijacked truck led members of the Public Order of Police (POPS) to discover a R2.6 million hydroponic dagga operation in Phillipi.
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Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie of the South African Police Service says the Scania truck was spotted at around 3:15am on Thursday morning along Spine Road near Bluedowns. As per preliminary investigations, it appeared that the vehicle was abandoned on the side of the road.
‘It was established that the truck belongs to a truck transporting company based in Bellville. Upon further inquiries, the members determined that the truck was hijacked in Bellville and looted of its cargo consisting of alcohol, printers and fruit juice the previous night.’
Further information led POPS members to Pacific, Isiqalo, an informal settlement in Phillipi, where more of the stolen cargo was stashed. Five suspects aged between 35 and 52 were subsequently arrested and charged with the possession of stolen cargo valued at an estimated R5 million.
The group is in custody and is scheduled to make their first court appearance for charges related to hijacking the truck and possession of presumed stolen property.
While searching for more of the stolen loot, members of POPS discovered a hydroponic dagga lab and dagga cultivating equipment with an estimated value of R2.6 million. Three suspects, two men aged between 30 and 45 and a 27-year-old woman, were arrested for the illegal cultivation and dealing of dagga. Their court appearances will be scheduled once they have been charged.
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