Police confiscate 466 dagga plants in two weeks.
Sophiatown police have had their hands full with all the confiscated dagga they have been collecting. According to the station’s spokesperson Captain TJ de Bruyn, the recent weather could have had an influence on the rapid growth of dagga plants in the area.
“Through several operations over the last two weeks, Sophiatown Police Station confiscated 466 dagga plants and 3039.9 grams of dagga. “It is believed that with the good rains over the last few weeks the dagga plants have grown even quicker.” He also confirmed that three suspects had been arrested during these operations and discovery.
Although the Constitutional Court of South Africa ruled to decriminalise the private usage of dagga, Sophiatown police have reiterated that this only allows for people to use and grow dagga in small quantities in their private spaces for recreational or medical uses.
The dagga confiscated during operations were cultivated to be sold and distributed which is still illegal. According to De Bruyn, only people over the age of 18 may use, possess or cultivate cannabis in private for his or her personal consumption in private. The use, including smoking, of cannabis in public or in the presence of children or in the presence of non-consenting adult persons is still not allowed.
The use or possession of cannabis in private other than by an adult for his or her personal consumption is also not permitted.
The police are currently investigating matters surrounding dagga and suspected dealers including the methods used to transport and store it. The station is pleading with the public to inform them of any dagga and drugs activities taking place in their communities.
De Bruyn concluded, “If you know about any drug or criminal activities in your community please report it to the police on the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111.”
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