MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Two foreign nationals were arrested recently for dealing in marijuana from a shop in Flora Road in Dana Bay.

Members of the KwaNonqaba Police responded to a tip-off when they planned their operation. According to information, the traders would sell the marijuana to people asking for a specific brand of cigarettes.

After the police obtained the necessary court authorisation, they used a decoy who successfully bought the drugs from one of the two Bangladeshi men in the grocery shop. This resulted in the police doing a proper search of the premises that lead to the discovery of more of the drug.

One of the men were charged with dealing in the drug, while the other man was charged with being in possession of marijuana. Both men have appeared in the Mossel Bay Magistrate's court.

While the Western Cape High Court passed a ruling on 31 March that allows for the possession, cultivation and private use of marijuana at home, the use of marijuana remains illegal and perpetrators may still be arrested if were found in possession of, dealing it or using it. The ruling pertained only to having or using cannabis at home and had no effect on laws governing the use and possession of cannabis in public and distribution or trading of the substance in public.

The judgment still has to be confirmed by the Constitutional Court and then referred to Parliament. Judge Dennis Davis granted Parliament two years' leeway to change the applicable legislation before the possession and/or use of marijuana may officially be decriminalised.

"The KwaNonqaba Police would like to thank the community for the information that led to the arrest. The use of what is often regarded as recreational drugs most often lead to other criminal acts when drug users need to fund their dependency," the communication officer, Sgt Kapp said.

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