Police destroy drugs worth R90m after busts in Eastern, Western Cape

Police commissioner General Fannie Masemola yesterday presided over the destruction of drugs worth about R90m in Cape Town.

The drugs were confiscated during police operations in the Western and Eastern Cape at roadblocks and tracing operations.

They included tik, cocaine and Mandrax. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said this was done regularly, with the drugs being destroyed identified by means of court orders, illustrating the finalisation of cases.

So far this financial year, close to R1bn worth of drugs had been destroyed, she said.

In the 2022/2023 financial year, drugs to the value of R2bn were destroyed.

Some of the drugs destroyed yesterday were seized during the following busts:

A case in Vredenburg where police received information and proceeded to an address where a truck loaded with R10m worth of Mandrax tablets was seized.

Four suspects were arrested. One suspect, Hosia Mathono, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.

In Beaufort West, Mandrax worth R2.5m was seized, and the accused convicted and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment.

In another case in Beaufort West, R18m worth of tik was seized. The accused were sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.

In a case in Swellendam, R4.5m worth of Mandrax tablets were seized.

The accused were sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.

Masemola said police were registering successes in intercepting drugs in the country.

“It is worth noting that in the past three months, police have seized cocaine worth R200m in various drug busts at our ports of entry.