Members of the police Flying Squad raided a farm in the rural Drakenstein area of Paarl in the Western Cape on Friday 22 April 2022, acting on intelligence about drug activity.[1][2] Officers discovered a cannabis harvesting and manufacturing operation, with dagga plants growing on the premises and large quantities of prepared cannabis ready to be sold.[1][2]

Searches on the farm led to the arrest of 25 suspects aged between 18 and 55.[1][2] Police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut said the estimated value of the drugs was yet to be determined because of the substantial quantities seized.[1]

The suspects faced charges of dealing in drugs and were expected to appear in the Paarl court on Monday, while provincial detectives probed the circumstances of the operation.[1][2] Traut said more arrests could follow as the investigation continued.[1] Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile commended the units behind the operation and warned that the illegal drug trade would remain high on the policing priority list.[1][2]