A police constable assured a drug peddler it would be “no problem” to obtain the drug tik, unaware the peddler was actually a police agent in an undercover operation, a court heard.
Constable Ricardo Abrahams, formerly based at the Grassy Park police station in Cape Town, faces two charges of corruption and two of dealing in drugs.
He appeared in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crime Court, where he pleaded not guilty before magistrate Sabrina Sonnenberg.
His hearing followed complaints that some police officials at Grassy Park were involved in corruption.
An undercover operation was authorised, and the agent was tasked to gather information and identify suspect police officials at the Grassy Park police station who were allegedly involved in corruption.
The agent, who may not be named, said he approached Abrahams several times in November 2011, and on the first occasion asked Abrahams if it were possible to obtain five grams of tik for him.
Abrahams said it would cost him R800 for five grams of tik.
The agent said a police warrant officer gave him R1100, of which R800 was for the drug and R300 for Abrahams as his reward.
The agent said he gave Abrahams the R800 at Nando's in Grassy Park, and he then had to meet Abrahams at a nearby petrol station for the tik.
On his way to the petrol station, Abrahams called to say he was behind the agent, and they stopped.
The agent added: “A young man got out of Abrahams' vehicle and approached me. I asked Abrahams what was going on, and Abrahams said he had to hurry back to the charge office.
“Abrahams said I should not worry, as the young man would accompany me to get the tik.
“I drove with the young man back to Nando's, and then back to the petrol station, where the young man handed me the five grams of tik.”
Because Abrahams had been in a hurry to return to his post, the agent had been unable to give Abrahams his R300 reward.
The agent gave Abrahams the R300 reward in December of that year, and at the same time asked Abrahams to obtain another 10
grams of tik before Christmas of that year.
The case continues.
Sapa