Another Scorpions heavy-weight has found himself behind bars, after being arrested for drunk driving with one of Cape Town's most notorious gangsters.

Barely a week after corruption charges against Gauteng Scorpions boss Gerrie Nel were withdrawn in the Pretoria magistrate's court, Cape Town Scorpion Ivor Powell - who worked on the initial stages of the Scorpions' investigation into National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi - was arrested with fugitive and alleged Americans gang boss Igshaan Davids, also known as "Sanie American", in Woodstock on Tuesday afternoon.

Davids, whose brother was convicted last year of the execution-style killings of actor Brett Goldin and designer Richard Bloom, was allegedly in possession of a stolen car when the two men were arrested. There was a warrant of arrest out for Davids.

Powell is widely considered to be one of the most influential Scorpions investigators, reporting directly to Scorpions national boss advocate Leonard McCarthy.

As a senior Scorpions investigator, he has been involved in all the Scorpions' key investigations, including the arms deal and the case against Jacob Zuma.

Powell was the man who first handled key Selebi witness Paul O'Sullivan before handing him over to investigator Andrew Leask.

Following their arrest between 4pm and 5pm on Tuesday, both Powell and Davids were taken to Kensington police station, from where Powell is understood to have been transported to a nearby clinic for blood testing.

Police spokesperson Elliot Sinyangana was unable to confirm what Powell had been charged with, but senior police sources have told The Star that the counts against Powell include defeating the ends of justice, "subversive activities", and aiding and abetting criminals.

The aiding and abetting charge is believed to relate to Powell's relationship with Davids.

Speaking to The Star on Tuesday night, Powell's attorney, Joe Weaver, said he was aware only of charges against his client of drunk driving, resisting arrest and failing to disclose correct information to the police.

These counts are understood to relate to Powell's behaviour towards the police officers who tried to arrest him after suspecting that he was under the influence of alcohol and his alleged reluctance to give them his correct name.

Weaver indicated that Powell would apply for bail on Tuesday night, and he expected him to be appear in the Cape Town magistrate's court on Wednesday morning.

Davids' attorneys were also at Kensington police station on Tuesday night, trying to obtain bail for him.

Speaking to The Star on condition of anonymity, several senior Western Cape prosecutors voiced their concerns over Powell's arrest and its timing.

Referring to the ongoing conflict between the National Prosecuting Authority and the police, one prosecutor said he felt there could be ulterior motives behind Powell's arrest.

On Tuesday night, Western Cape Scorpions boss Adrian Mopp said he had been informed of Powell's arrest only after 8.30pm and did not have much information on the circumstances.

"We'll decide what action to take once we've been provided with all the facts on the matter," said Mopp.

With acknowledgements to Karyn Maughan, Quinton Mtyala and Cape Argus.