Police have uncovered a dagga cultivation laboratory in Bothasig. Officers were following up on a complaint about a person who refused to pay his e-hailing driver when they detected a strong smell of dagga at the premises and initiated an investigation. The crime was reported on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at approximately 01:00.

Police have uncovered a dagga cultivation laboratory

Constable Ndakhe Gwala says officers were called out to Mill Street after receiving a complaint from an e-hailing driver who was apparently not paid by a 31-year-old male residing there. Police members then accompanied the driver to the address of the suspect and found him with a 22-year-old male. He came across as cooperative and promised to pay the complainant.

Dagga cultivation laboratory in Bothasig

It was here, in an interesting turn of events, that officers picked up a strong smell of dagga. They asked if they could search the place. During the search, they discovered an indoor dagga cultivation laboratory in a room. Officers confiscated 205 dagga plants, 87 rolled blue cheese dagga cigarettes, one silver scale, 64 rolled birthday cake dagga joints, equipment and a black book containing cultivation lessons.

They face charges of cultivation and dealing in drugs

Gwala says the two males were taken into custody. They face charges of cultivation and dealing in drugs. It’s expected that they will make their first appearance in the Bellville Magistrate’s court today.

Drugs discovered in Khayelitsha

In a separate operation, officers affiliated with the Khayelitsha Crime Prevention Unit also seized drugs in Capital Drive, Thembani, on Monday, 27 October 2025. Gwala says members were conducting patrols when they were informed about a house selling liquor without a license.

She says, they instantly went there and while at the premises, a community member alerted the police that drugs were being sold there, in a flat situated at the back. The officers proceeded to search the flat and found 3700 tablets of mandrax with an estimated street value of R185 000. Two men were arrested and will also appear in court today.