Police destroyed drugs worth R5.2 billion since 2022
National police commissioner Fannie Masemola says police have destroyed various types of drugs worth R5.2 billion across the country over the past three years.
Masemola presided over the destruction of drugs that were seized during policing operations in the Western and Eastern Cape on Friday.
Approximately 20.8 tons of drug material were confiscated nationally during the 2022/2023 financial year.
These include Methaqualone (Mandrax), Methamphetamine (Tik), Cocaine, and various other narcotics.
A total estimated street value of 800 kilograms of drugs in excess of R340 million was destroyed at the police's Forensic Science Lab in Cape Town on Friday.
Masemola said approximately 15.2 tons have been destroyed in the current financial year.
"This R5.2 billion includes drugs that were confiscated nationally during the 2022/2023 financial year, which was approximately 20.8 tons of drug exhibit material.
"In the 2023/2024 financial year, approximately 14.5 tons have been destroyed, and in this financial year, which is the 2024/2025 financial year, approximately 15.2 tons have been destroyed to date, excluding today (Friday)."
He said some of the biggest drug destruction was from the Swartkops case.
The case involved the seizure of 513 kilograms of pure cocaine, with an estimated street value of R220 million.
"This case had far-reaching international implications, as several suspects were arrested in Brazil as part of a collaborative effort to dismantle a major transnational drug trafficking network.
"The success of this case highlights SAPS’ role in global crime-fighting initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to working alongside international law enforcement agencies to combat organised crime and the global drug trade."
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In the Western Cape, police have seized 26 illegal and unlicensed firearms in Belville South as well as in Stikland in Cape Town.
The firearms include three AK47 automatic rifles, an R5, twelve 9mm pistols, three Uzzi and two revolvers, amongst other high-calibre firearms.
Masemola said 50,000 mandrax tablets were also seized.
"Two suspects have already appeared in court on a charge of the illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and drugs, as well as the possession of illegal explosives.
"This recent success sends out a strong message in a province that is struggling with gang-related violence that police will not rest until we seize and confiscate all illegal and unlicensed firearms across the length and breadth of the cape flats and surrounding areas."
In Gauteng, police discovered a drug manufacturing laboratory in Westonaria on the West Rand on Thursday.
Police executed a search and seizure warrant on the West Rand at a farm in Westonaria, where a clandestine drug laboratory was discovered.
The K9 unit led officers to an isolated property where an estimated R10 million worth of mandrax was being processed.
When police moved in, they found the farm owner in the process of converting a powdered substance into a deadly, illicit drug.
Two suspects have since been arrested.
In another incident, three drug traffickers were arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport.
The drug traffickers included two South Africans who were found with a combined R7.5 million worth of cocaine, as well as a 55-year-old Nigerian drug trafficker.
All the suspects had just landed from Brazil at the OR Tambo International Airport when they were arrested.
Masemola said in the past six months, more than 20 drug traffickers have been arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport, which is known as a gateway to Africa.
"On Wednesday this week, R 6 million worth of cocaine disguised as hair products was also seized at one of the warehouses at the OR Tambo International Airport.
"The shipment was from Brazil en route to France via SA, according to the shipment receipt."
In the Eastern Cape, Hawks have seized R720,000 worth of ecstasy tablets at an East London bus depot.
A suspect was transporting the drugs from Durban to Cape Town.
The commissioner said one suspect has been arrested so far.
"Hawks’ investigators in KwaZulu-Natal followed up on intelligence on the smuggling of dagga at the Golela Land Port. The dagga worth R450 000 million was intercepted on a train."
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