Photos: SAPS

A tip-off from an anonymous caller lead to the arrest of four suspected drug dealers in Table View. According to  police spokesperson Captain Adriana Chandler one of them offered an ingenious excuse. He claimed that a cannabis plant was in fact a “tomato plant.”

The arrests took place early Monday morning at a house in Stilt Avenue in Table View. According to Captain Chandler there were four people in the house at the time.  Upon their arrival, “A man acknowledged the officers’ presence through a window.  He stated that he did not have a key to the front door, but would look for it.  After a short while the officers knocked again, and the door was actually unlocked.”

According to Captain Chandler, the police found Mandrax tablets on a table. There was a strong smell of cannabis and cannabis plants in one of the rooms. The man responded that it was “tomato plant.”

Other paraphernalia, such as lights, fans and thermostats were also discovered. All four suspects were arrested. They appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates Court yesterday.

Milnerton Cluster Commander Major General Aneeqah Jordaan commended the SAPS members for their swift response, but reiterated that the arrest would not have been made without the information received from the community.  Community members who have information about criminal activities are asked to register as informants at their local police station.  They can ask to speak to the head of the detectives, who will explain the process.