Drugs worth more than R90 million destroyed in Cape Town

Drugs worth more than R90 million were destroyed in Cape Town on Thursday. This is part of operations within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

According to SAPS, these are drugs that were confiscated during police operations in the Western and Eastern Cape at roadblocks and tracing operations. They include tik, cocaine and mandrax.

PHOTO: SAPS

This is the fourth drug destruction process in 2023/2024 financial year, the most recent drug destruction took place in Gauteng in October 2023 where R800 million worth of drugs were destroyed. SAPS said in this financial year alone, close to a billion rand worth of drugs have been destroyed. In the 2022/2023 financial year, 6 tons of drugs to the value of R2 billion were destroyed.

PHOTO: SAPS

Some of the drugs that are being destroyed on Thursday include those that were seized during the following drug busts:

• A case in Vredenburg where police operationalised information and proceeded to an address where a truck loaded with R10 million worth of mandrax tablets were seized. In this case, four suspects were arrested, one suspect, Hosia Mbuluheni Mathono, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

• In Beaufort West, Mandrax worth R2,5 million was seized and the accused was convicted and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment

• In another case in Beaufort West, R18 million worth of Tik was seized. The accused were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

• In another case in Swellendam, R4,5 million worth of Mandrax tablets were seized. The accused persons were sentenced to 5 years imprisonment.

 

PHOTO: SAPS

The National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, presided over the destruction of drugs. He says police are registering great successes in intercepting drugs in the country.

“It is worth noting that in the past three months, police have seized cocaine worth R 200 million in various drug busts at our ports of entry. The first two consignments of cocaine were seized at the Durban harbour in October and the other major bust worth R65 million was detected in November at the Gqeberha sea port. This drug destruction thus demonstrates the relentless efforts of our men and women in blue to remove these drugs that destroy lives and livelihoods.’’

‘’It is important to note that the SAPS embarks on this process on a regular basis and that drugs that are being destroyed are identified by means of court orders, illustrating the finalisation of cases,’’ added General Masemola.

 

Done by: Esobusi Mkangelwa