PICS | Safe City CCTV leads to drug dealing arrest in city centre

An alleged drug dealer was arrested in the Pietermaritzburg CBD on Monday night after Safe City CCTV operators detected suspicious activity The incident occurred near the corner of Masukwane Street and Church Street just before 9pm. According to Safe City Msunduzi manager Jason Herbert, the camera operator noticed a man loitering in the area. “He appeared to have hidden something in the exterior of a premises nearby,” said Herbert.

The man was then approached by several individuals and appeared to receive money in exchange for small packets of an unknown substance. Police, members of the E2 Project and a local security company were dispatched to the scene. Acting on directions from Safe City operators, officers apprehended the suspect and recovered the hidden item, which was identified as cocaine, otherwise known as rock on the streets.

The suspect was arrested and charged with dealing in drugs. This incident comes as Safe City operators and police have seen recent arrests in the CBD and outlying areas. Over the weekend, several suspects were arrested following swift action by CCTV operators and police.