A strategic police operation led to a significant drug bust in the Central Karoo this week.
On Tuesday, 17 June 2025, members of the SAPS Flying Squad conducted a vehicle checkpoint (VCP) near Prince Albert Road, where they stopped and searched a passenger bus, reports Cape {town} Etc.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Christopher Spie, officers discovered 13 boxes containing khat during the search.
Khat is a stimulant drug derived from a flowering plant native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its leaves contain cathinone, a chemical that produces effects similar to amphetamines, inducing euphoria and alertness but also carrying risks such as heart problems and mental health issues with prolonged use.
Although illegal in South Africa, khat continues to be trafficked into the Western Cape.
Further investigation linked the consignment to a 47-year-old passenger, leading to his immediate arrest. A total of 2 940 bundles of khat, valued at approximately R290 000, were confiscated.
The suspect remains in police custody and is expected to face charges of drug dealing in court.
Western Cape police management praised the Flying Squad’s efforts, emphasising their commitment to disrupting drug trafficking networks in the province.
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Picture: SAPS
