Western Cape police have confiscated a large amount of Mandrax with an estimated value of more than R5 million in Voorbaai, Mossel Bay on Friday, December 3.
According to police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie, an inspector attached to a long-distance public transport company alerted the Da Gamaskop SAPS of a suspicious amount of sealed boxes in the luggage compartment of the bus.
“He decided to do a proper inspection when the bus stopped at Voorbaai, in Mossel Bay. He ensued with a search and found that the boxes were concealing a consignment of what seemed to be Mandrax.
“He notified SAPS who responded rapidly and confirmed that the content of the boxes is indeed Mandrax tablets,” Pojie said.
Pojie said Subsequent to the find that was confiscated, members arrested a 51-year-old foreigner to whom the consignment was linked directly.
“The drugs were confiscated and handed in as evidence. The suspect remains in custody and is scheduled to make his court appearance in the Mossel Bay Magistrates’ court on Monday, December 6, facing charges of Dealing in Drugs as well as Bribery, based on the fact that when he was arrested, he offered a substantial amount of cash to the arresting officer in an effort to be released,” Pojie said.
Detectives attached to the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation (Narcotics section) are also investigating this matter after a preliminary investigation indicated that the drugs were probably destined for delivery in Cape Town.
Meanwhile, the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, has praised the members involved for their diligence and vigilance that once again ensured that the streets of the Western Cape are rid of drugs that pose a threat to the safety of our vulnerable communities.
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Picture: SAPS
