Category Archives: General

Recognising the dagga vendor {Institute for Security Studies SA}

All sorts of people sell dagga. Because dagga is often used in combination with other drugs, vendors of other drugs may also sell dagga. Known users may also sell the drug. Sales of matchboxes or paper wraps of dagga often take place on street corners. People loitering on corners and approaching passing cars should be questioned.

marijuana_mag_cover

 

As with all drugs, the package of dagga is often hidden in nearby debris, rather than on the person of the vendor. Suspects should be watched prior to approaching to determine the location of their stash. Dagga is often sold out of private residences. Households with a lot of short-term visitors should be monitored. Many of these residences will sell to anyone, so buy and bust operations can be executed easily. Strictly follow protocol in attempting any such operation. These buildings are also subject to asset forfeiture. Coordinate these operations with the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority.

Dagga is also often sold out of petrol stations, where it is less easy to spot unusual behaviour. These stations are also subject to forfeiture, although the interests of justice may preclude seizure where the ownership has not been given notice.

Download (PDF, Unknown)

Source: http://www.issafrica.org/pubs/Other/SADrugHBSep04/IIIC.pdf

Recognising The Dagga User {by Institute for Security Studies SA}

Dagga is typically smoked, and the onset of effects occurs within a few seconds of inhaling, lasting for two to four hours.

Some dagga users are very easy to identify:

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• The drug has a strong odour that lingers in the hair and clothing. An experienced police member should be able to identify this distinctive smell.

• Devoted users may sport dagga leaf insignia on their clothing, jewellery, bumper stickers, or other items. Their clothing may also make more subtle
reference to the drug, through slogans such as ‘blunt’ (a reference to a hollowed out cigar packed with dagga).

• The Rastafarian religion views dagga as a sacrament, and its members are easy to identify due to their long dreadlocks and typical dress (including the
large knit cap or ‘tam’ and use of the colours of Ethiopian flag: gold, green, and red.)

• Recent users will often have bloodshot, watery eyes; drooping eyelids; slow reaction times, and possibly body tremors.

• The user’s pulse and blood pressure will be elevated while under the influence of dagga.

• The inner edge of index finger and the tip of the thumb, as well as the lips, may show burns from smoking short ‘stompies’.

• Dagga users suffer from ‘non-convergence’ of the eyes, or the inability to keep the eyes ‘crossed’ (‘go squint’).

This final indicator can be tested in the following manner. A pen is held vertically at the suspect’s eye-level, approximately 35 cm from the face.
Suspects should be told to hold their heads straight, and follow the tip of the pen with their eyes only. The pen should be moved slowly from side to side
along an arc of about 30 cm. The pen should then stop at the centre of the suspect’s face, in line with his nose, and should be moved towards the nose at
eye level. If sober, the suspect’s eyes should both track the pen smoothly to the tip of the nose – the eyes will cross. Dagga use will cause one eye to
‘release’ and track out, with only one eye remaining focused on the tip of the nose.

Of course, people may display any of these indicators and NOT be users of dagga – none of these indicators can stand alone as a basis for reasonable
suspicion of possession, but they can provide a basis cumulatively. Note should be taken of symptoms present for use in court.

All sorts of people use dagga, and some use well known techniques to avoid detection:

• Use of breath fresheners, body sprays, and incense to cover the odour.

• Use of eye drops or dark glasses to hide bloodshot eyes.

HINT: Always require suspects to remove dark
eyeglasses. Not only are the eyes the most
important feature to observe in order to detect
drug use, but they are also helpful in determining
whether the suspect is

Dagga generally produces a state of sedation, so intoxicated subjects are usually compliant. Excessive consumption can produce paranoia and panic attacks,

however. As is the case with all intoxicants, dagga users may behave in ways they would not when sober.

Dagga is fat soluble, and its metabolites are detectable in the urine for periods of a month or more after last use for heavy users. According to the 3
Metros study, urban dagga users are more likely to be:

• male;

• Indian or coloured;

• under the age of 20;

• arrested for thefts or drug related crimes.

This profile is consistent with that of the population presenting for treatment at the country’s rehabilitation centres, as monitored by the South African
Community Epidemiological Network on Drug Use (SACENDU).

Download (PDF, 33KB)

http://www.issafrica.org/pubs/Other/SADrugHBSep04/IIIB.pdf
http://www.issafrica.org

Cops or robbers {Jan 2013 – In Memory of Areff Haffejee}

It’s been over a year and the mystery surrounding the death of Areff Haffejee and a police officer is still a conspiracy theory.

Areff Haffejee

Areff Haffejee


Considering I like to read between the lines of all things posted. Who is to say the cop wasn’t driving the Audi.

If you missed it here is the article I am referring to.

I think the cop told the man that we can arrest you for the joint but let me take your car for a spin and we can be friends about this situation.

The owner said shot hey but you drive nice nice. After much debate on how cannabis should be legal they laughed about it.

The policeman got in the driver seat after he told his partner that he is just going for a joyride in this mans car follow me maybe we stop at the bank if not we can arrest the man where I stop. Just follow me.

So in the car they listen to music. Very relaxed. Until the policeman talks about some loose change.

Travelling at some speed. The owner realizes he is being robbed by our protectors. They start arguing maybe the owner tried to go for his gun.

The driver’s foot pressed down fully on the accelerator in the struggle.

He loses control of the Audi and hits the light pole without braking..

The follower sees the car is in a million pieces and he covers up for his friend/partner.

The purpose of this “fictional” story is to get you thinking and asking questions.

Condolences to families of the two deceased.

Sources: http://www.fightagainstcrime.co.za/supercar-crash-cop-drug-bribe-theory/
http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/supercar-crash-cop-a-sandton-celebrity-1.1454330
http://www.news24.com/MyNews24/Cops-or-robbers-20130112
http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2013/01/17/ipid-gets-audi-r8-rosebank-crash-docket