A joint Hawks Narcotics Enforcement Bureau and Crime Intelligence operation led to the recovery of more than 11 bags of mandrax tablets worth over R4.7 million in Westgate on Sunday June 3.
The joint operation at about 5pm effected a search in terms of Section 22 (b) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977(CPA) and the suspected house in Martin Street in Westgate and all vehicles at the locale were searched.
The drugs were found hidden inside an abandoned vehicle, in special brown bread flour bags weighing 50kg.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the residence may have been used as a distribution point for drugs in the area, said Captain Philani Nkwalase, Western Cape spokesperson for the Hawks.
A total of 106 000 mandrax tablets were seized, in each pack of drugs, 1 000 mandrax tablets were packed. Efforts are under way to trace the suspects as well as the owner of the house.
Upon arrival, a man, who claims he is a mechanical employee for the man who lives at the house where the drugs were found, was found on the premises. He was taken in for questioning but was not arrested.
However, on Monday June 4, a 45-year-old man turned himself in to the Hawks and was arrested. He will appear at the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court today, Wednesday June 6 on a charge of dealing drugs.