Western Cape police say they have uncovered a cannabis farming network near Ceres in the Western Cape.  According to an IOL report on 29 April 2022, the Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) arrested a man they claim was responsible for co-ordinating a number of illegal grow ops.

Police spokesman Zinzi Hani said police discovered three cannabis plantations in the remote Koue Bokkeveld mountains. They received information that led them to a farm in Bo-Swaarmoed, where they found another grow op and detained a 42-year old man who was allegedly in charge. The man was due to have appeared in the Ceres Magistrates Court on 29 April 2022.

Hani said: “The suspect is detained on suspicion of conspiring to produce and distribute cannabis. The farm was found to contain altogether 171 plants worth an estimated value of R171 000 as well as dried dagga weighing 79.95kg to the value of R89 834”.