A drug syndicate operating between Gauteng and Cape Town was busted on Tuesday [February 9] thanks to a joint intelligence-driven operation including members from the Western Cape Crime Intelligence Counter Narcotics Section, the Hawks and the K9 Unit.
The integrated, multi-disciplinary drug bust took place on the N1 between Gauteng and the Western Cape.
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 tracked down the source of the mandrax tablets which led them to establish that a consignment of mandrax tablets was to be collected in Gauteng before being couriered to the Western Cape on Wednesday.
The team followed up on intelligence and identified the vehicle carrying the drugs before it was stopped at a weighbridge in Beaufort West. While searching the vehicle, police uncovered at least 270 000 mandrax tablets.
“The police operation is still in process and the vehicle is being thoroughly searched for further narcotics, including final count and value,” said the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Brigadier Vish Naidoo.
“At this stage, only one suspect has been arrested. The Hawks has been tasked with this investigation and further arrests cannot be ruled out.”
Picture: SAPS