BREAKING NEWS: R105-m worth of Mandrax uncovered
One of the suspects is still on trial for another bust, involving a Boksburg Mandrax lab
THE value of Mandrax drugs found at the drug lab on a small holding, in De Deur, on Tuesday, June 7, has finally been estimated at R105-million.
Initial reports estimated the value at about R12-m.
A reliable source told the RECORD that close to one million tablets were found – and that excludes the large number containers and bags of powder which were still to be pressed into tablets.
The bust, a joint operation between the Western Cape Hawks and Crime Intelligence, has led to the arrest of five suspects, including a Detective Warrant Officer from Eldorado Park, for manufacturing and dealing in drugs.
One of the suspects is currently standing trial for another case involving a drug lab bust (also Mandrax), in Boksburg.
The arrest followed an investigation in which the area had been monitored for few months on suspicion that a syndicate was involved in the alleged drug lab for distribution countrywide.
The suspects, aged between 27 and 59 years, were arrested on Tuesday evening, on a small holding, while the police officer was arrested in Bassonia, on Wednesday morning.
The investigation team recovered Methaquolium, pressers and other drug manufacturing equipment, as well as Mandrax tablets already packed and ready for distribution in De Deur, and at the police officer’s home.
The operation is the second major drug bust in the last 24 hours, during which time the KwaZulu-Natal Hawks members also confiscated R50-m worth of drugs in a sealed container, at the Durban Harbour.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) national head, Lieut Gen Mthandazo Ntlemeza, has lauded both investigation teams and warned that organised crime is undermining the well being of communities.
“We are committed and buoyed to introduce a range of initiatives to target and further disrupt the activities of organised criminal groups and networks,” he said.
”We will never rest on our laurels. By nature, organised crime is challenging to detect and to counter, but as the Hawks, and with the help of our communities, we are committed to work tirelessly to fight these drugs.”
The suspects were expected to appear before the Vereeniging Magistrates Court today, on charges of manufacturing and dealing in drugs.
