Cops in on the cannabis trade.

The Minister of Police's answer to the questions of the Reverend K R J Meshoe (ACDP) reveal the police are in on the cannabis game.

The Reverend asked (inter alia)

(1)(a) What quantity of drugs have been stolen from store rooms in police stations in each of the past five years up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) how many people were (i) found to be responsible and (ii) arrested in this regard;

(...and (b) how many (i) arrests and (ii) successful convictions were obtained in each case?

and the Minister relied thus:

(1)(a) Drugs stolen from store rooms in police stations
2005: 30 kilograms 040 grams cannabis,
2006: Nil
2007: 1 000 kilograms 280 grams cannabis; 43,5 tablets methaqualone (mandrax)
2008: 496 kilograms 224 grams cannabis; 123 kilograms 267 grams cocaine
2009:(1 January 2009 to 31 August 2009): 1 182 kilograms 123 grams cannabis; 824 grams cocaine; 65 008 tablets methaqualone (mandrax); 137 grams methamphetamine

...(2)(b)(i) 21 arrests

(2)(b)(ii) A total of three (3) successful convictions obtained. The other cases are still under investigation.

Issued by: South African Police Service - 7 October 2009

So a ton of cannabis is stolen by the police from the police storage per annum for sale and consumtion. Only three convictions obtained from 21 arrests for doing this? What is going on here? Sure South Africa produces 3000 tons per annum, but how come the cops have a get out of jail free card?