Police in Gqeberha are searching for a suspect who managed to escape arrest after a large quantity of drugs was discovered during an operation in Cotswold.

Members of the Mount Road South African Police Service (SAPS) were conducting routine patrols in Woodpecker Street yesterday when they were flagged down by a private security company.

Police spokesperson Nobuntu Gantana says the suspect, a foreign national, was previously searched by the security officers after his suspicious behaviour at a nearby storage facility triggered an alarm.

“Upon noticing the arrival of the SAPS members, the suspect dropped a black plastic bag and fled the scene by jumping over a high wall. He remains at large.”

Following a search of the storage locker and the bag left behind, a large consignment of drugs was found.

“Among the items seized were 217 grams of crack cocaine, 889.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 303 kilograms of compressed dagga.”

A red Mini Cooper believed to be linked to the suspect was also impounded during the operation.

The drugs have an estimated street value of around R2 million.