Mammoth Mandrax haul breaks the back of interprovincial drug syndicate

The back of a massive drug syndicate has been broken and national police are overjoyed. On Tuesday 9 February 2021, members from the Western Cape Crime Intelligence Counter Narcotics Section, the Hawks and the K9 Unit uncovered the syndicate operating on the N1 between Gauteng and Cape Town and the Mandrax they found still has no value due to the large amount.

National Commissioner of Police, General Khehla John Sitole has since welcomed the integrated, multi-disciplinary drug bust. 

MORE THAN 250 000 MANDRAX TABLETS FOUND 

Brigadier Vish Naidoo said it appears that the syndicate was involved in drug manufacturing and the bulk supply of mandrax tablets to local dealers in the Western Cape. 

“Crime Intelligence worked tirelessly to track down the source of the Mandrax tablets which led them to establish that a consignment of Mandrax tablets were to be collected in Gauteng before being couriered to the Western Cape today. The team followed up on intelligence and identified the vehicle carrying the drugs before it was stopped at a weighbridge in Beaufort West,” said Naidoo.  

During operations that were conducted with the Central Karoo K9 Unit, at least 270 000 mandrax tablets were found during the search of the vehicle. 

Image via: SAPS

“The police operation is still in process and the vehicle is being thoroughly searched for further narcotics, including final count and value. At this stage, only one suspect has been arrested,” added Naidoo. 

The Hawks have been tasked with the investigation and further arrests cannot be ruled out.

DRUG BUST IN PORT ELIZABETH 

Last month, members of the SAPS in Nelson Mandela Bay confiscated over 4 200 Mandrax tablets on separate occasions in Port Elizabeth.

After obtaining search warrants, the following arrests were made:

• A 40-year-old male was arrested at a residence in Nondlwana Street, Kwazakhele on a charge of dealing in drugs. Members confiscated 200 Mandrax tablets to the value of R8 000 and R3 200 cash.
• A 61-year-old female was arrested in Mahakana Street, Kwazakhele on a charge of dealing in drugs. Members confiscated 4 030 Mandrax tablets with a street value of R161 200. Cash to the amount of R6 750 was also seized.

Both suspects were due to appear in the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court on Monday 11 January 2021 on the respective charges, said Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana.