Scorpions detective Ivor Powell was released on R1 000 bail in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court today after allegedly being caught travelling in a car with alleged Americans gang boss Igshaan 'Sanie American' Davids.

Powell faced charges of drunken driving, reckless or negligent driving and defeating the ends of justice.

Davids, who was also arrested, will appear in court on Friday on charges of possession of stolen property. He has been wanted since December 23 for driving an allegedly stolen car.

The two men, plus a third who has yet to be named, were arrested after they allegedly fled from Woodstock premises as police arrived to make an arrest.

"When police arrived, they saw a blue VW Polo speeding off ... and noticed that the person who was supposed to be arrested was in the vehicle, so they followed," said police spokesman Elliot Sinyangana.

Powell was allegedly driving the Scorpions vehicle at the time.

Powell, who is a former investigative journalist, made a brief appearance before Magistrate Ncumisa Ndlakuhlolo.

Carmen Daniels, the overseeing senior prosecutor at the court, sat in on the matter along with the regular court 18 prosecutor Shedene Horn.

Sinyangana said the third man had been taken in for questioning but would not give further details.

Superintendent Abe Enus, a senior detective at the Kensington police station, said the man was a fugitive who had been sought by police for a long time.

He would appear in Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Friday with Davids.

Davids is also currently facing charges of drink-driving, which is due on the court roll next month.

Western Cape Scorpions boss Adrian Mopp said that Powell was a specialist in information collection, but was not a "front-line" investigator.

Mopp said the charges against Powell appeared to have nothing to do with his official duties.

"He's an individual member who allegedly strayed from the path so the charges stand in isolation (to Powell's official duties)," he said.

Additional reporting by Murray Williams

With acknowledgements to Candice Bailey, Fouzia van der Fort and Cape Argus.