K9 Virus knocks a sock off

18 August 2025

The City’s Traffic Services, Law Enforcement and Metro Police Departments arrested 280 suspects in the past week and issued 59 966 fines. Metro Police K9, Virus was instrumental in one of the successes – his second in just a few weeks.

Metro Police officers arrested 65 suspects and issued 2 699 fines during weekly patrols.

On Friday, 15 August 2025, officers were conducting crime prevention patrols in Observatory, when they noticed a vehicle parked in a manner causing an obstruction.

Officers approached the driver and asked to see his licence. During further inspection of the vehicle, K9 Virus was called to assist in searching the vehicle.

The four-legged officer led his handler to the bottom of the steering column, where they discovered 29 packets of khat, 13 bankies of rock cocaine and two bankies of cocaine, hidden in a pink sock, with an estimated street value of R13 200.

A 41-year-old man was arrested for the illegal possession of drugs and detained at Woodstock SAPS.

On 23 July, Virus was instrumental in a drug bust in Woodstock, sniffing out cocaine and crack cocaine to the value of just over R40 000, as well as cash.

‘K9 Virus is such a good boy, although I doubt these criminals would agree. These latest successes are timely reminders of the value that specialised units such as the K9 Unit within Metro Police bring to our enforcement efforts, particularly the very rampant drug trade. I also want to remind communities that they can help too, by sending tip offs about drug dealing to our anonymous tip-off line, or to officers on patrol in their areas,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Tip offs about drug dealing and other illicit activities can be reported to the Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) on 021 480 7700 or via the Anonymous tip-off line, 24-hours a day, on 0800 110077.

In the past week, Law Enforcement officers arrested 178 suspects and issued 6 458 notices for various transgressions.

Traffic officers recorded 50 809 offences, impounded 263 public transport vehicles and executed 1 749 warrants of arrests.

In addition, officers arrested 37 motorists - 29 for driving under the influence of alcohol, three for reckless and negligent driving and five for other offences.

The PECC recorded 1 568 incidents over the past weekend, including 84 cases of assault, 38 domestic violence incidents and 48 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents.
 

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office