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Police have arrested two men in a raid on a ‘grey zone’ producer of cannabis and related products outside Newcastle in KZN. They seized a range of consumer products and dismantled a hydroponics lab and processing equipment.

Cannabiz Africa

22 January 2025 at 04:30:00

In the face of the cannabis regulatory vacuum, police appear to be going after manufacturers of cannabis product and select retail outlets rather than consumers.


That’s the word from a Cannabiz Africa source close to SAPS, who says the authorities are looking to intensify their clampdown on illegal cannabis operators, the so-called 'grey zone' by focusing on ‘easy targets’.

 

“The police have to be seen to be doing something about all these dagga shops all over the place, but there are no guidelines in place. The NPA says it will be releasing these guidelines soon, but at this point it’s all ad-hoc, and frankly a bit confusing.


"The law on policing cannabis is not clear, the people think it’s now legal and every shop you go into they’ve got a long story about compliance and how confiscating their dagga is infringing on their rights. To be fair on the cops, they really need some direction on how to handle all this”.

 

IOL 's Xolile Mtembu reported on 21 January 2025 that SAPS launched a “decisive combined operation” and found a ‘fully functional dagga laboratory” operating  near Newcastle in northern KwaZulu Natal this week. They seized and edibles, oils, pre-rolls and cannabis flower to the value of R120 000.

 

Two people were arrested in the operation led by Newcastle Serious Organised Crime Investigation Hawks, in partnership with Newcastle K9 Unit, Crime Intelligence, and Public Order Policing.

 

Hawks' spokesperson Warrant Officer Sibu Ncane told IOL that based on “solid intelligence acquired in November 2024, the Hawks “determined that the facilities were being utilised as a dagga laboratory, where it was processed, blended with other substances, and marketed as consumable items to customers.


"Securing a search warrant from the Newcastle Magistrate’s court, the joint team executed the warrant at the aforementioned address. During the search, evidence confirming the premises as a fully functional dagga laboratory was discovered, including edibles (sweets), dagga, weight scale, oil and pots with cooked dagga in the kitchen," Ncane said.


Ncane went on to say that police uncovered "dagga cigars, bottled dagga, a drug presser, a pricing list for consumable items, dagga plants, a warm light, and a formidable plastic shower structure." Cash from sales was also uncovered.


The suspects were arrested, charged with dealing in drugs and were scheduled to appear before the Newcastle Magistrate's Court this week.


The KZN Hawks' provincial Head, Major General (Dr) Lesetja Senona, congratulated the members on the arrest of the suspects.

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Police Raid ‘Grey Zone’ Newcastle Cannabis Manufacturer as Clampdown Intensifies

Police Raid ‘Grey Zone’ Newcastle Cannabis Manufacturer as Clampdown Intensifies

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