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In an operation, law enforcement zeroed in on Capricorn Street in Signal Hill, Newcastle, unveiling a clandestine cannabis laboratory that had been silently thriving in this usually serene and tranquil neighbourhood.
The Warrant Officer detailed how a decisive joint task force, led by the Newcastle Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, alongside the Newcastle K9, Crime Intelligence, and Public Order Policing Unit, apprehended two men for operating the covert cannabis lab on Capricorn Street on Friday, 17 January 2025.
“Acting on credible information received in November 2023, the Hawks established that the premises was being used as a dagga laboratory, where raw dagga was processed, mixed with other ingredients and sold as consumable products to patrons,” said Warrant Officer Ncane.
Armed with a search warrant from the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court, the joint team executed their plan with precision.
The search also revealed cannabis cigars, bottled cannabis, a drug presser, a comprehensive price list for consumable products, cannabis trees under warm lights, and a formidable plastic shower structure. Cash from sales was also seized.
“The total street value of the confiscated dagga and related paraphernalia is estimated at R120,000,” emphasised Warrant Officer Ncane, highlighting that the suspects were detained and charged with drug dealing, now slated to appear before the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court.
Moreover, the KwaZulu-Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head, Major General (Dr) Lesetja Senona, praised the law enforcement team for their strategic captures, applauding the operation’s thorough investigation and the successful execution of the search warrant, which dealt a significant blow to a major dagga lab operation in the area.
Decriminalisation for Private Use: The South African Constitutional Court’s landmark judgment in September 2018 decriminalised the private use, possession, and cultivation of cannabis by adults, allowing personal consumption in private spaces without fear of legal repercussions.
To read more, click the following link: Judgments of the Constitutional Court
Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, 2024: In May 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act (CfPPA) into law. This act:
Regulates the cultivation, possession, and use of cannabis by adults in private settings.
Removes cannabis from the list of prohibited narcotics in the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, which was previously the main legal framework regulating cannabis.
Sets out provisions for the protection of children from cannabis exposure and details offenses related to exceeding cultivation and possession limits or using cannabis in public.
Provides for the expungement of criminal records for prior convictions related to cannabis possession or use for personal consumption.
You can access the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, 2024 through the South African Government’s official portal here: Government Gazette.
Cannabis and its psychoactive component, THC, are categorized under Schedule 7, while CBD is in Schedule 4, meaning they require prescriptions for legal use.
There are exceptions for certain CBD products which can be unscheduled if they meet specific content limits.
Regulatory details under the Medicines Act can be found on the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) website: SAHPRA.
Commercial Aspects: The current law does not permit the commercial sale of cannabis for recreational purposes. While the private use and cultivation are allowed, buying and selling cannabis remains illegal.
Legal Quantities: As of the signing of the CfPPA, specific limits have not been detailed for possession and cultivation for personal use.
In a bold move that underscores the fine line between legal reform and illicit trade, law enforcement’s raid on Capricorn Street in Signal Hill has illuminated the complexities of South Africa’s evolving cannabis legislation. This operation not only dismantled a sophisticated cannabis laboratory but also highlighted the ongoing battle against illegal distribution amidst a backdrop of progressive legal changes.
The future of cannabis in South Africa will undoubtedly depend on how well we balance the rights of private use with the imperative to curb illegal activities, ensuring safety, legality, and economic opportunity in this new era of cannabis legislation.
What are your thoughts on the above? Share your views in the comment section below.
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