Drugs worth R5.6m found across SA

DAGGA and Mandrax worth a combined value of R3 million has been seized in the Western Cape, provincial police said.

During a vehicle checkpoint on the N1 highway, Beaufort West Crime Prevention Unit members on Tuesday pulled over a white LDV found to be carrying 54 000 mandrax tablets to the value of R2.7m in a false compartment of the vehicle.

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said: “The two suspects are expected to appear in the Beaufort West Magistrate’s court later in the week on charges of possession of drugs.”

Meanwhile, on Tuesday evening, two males were arrested during a roadblock conducted by members from Worcester after they discovered four bags of dagga to the the value of R300 000. Two males were arrested and were to appear in court yesterday.

South African Revenue Service (Sars) Customs officials and the detector dog unit have intercepted 9.16kg of cocaine worth R2.6m during a search at OR Tambo International Airport.

“The goods belonged to a woman in transit travelling from Sao Paulo to Maputo, Mozambique, who claimed to have no check-in baggage,” said Sars spokesperson Sandile Memela yesterday. He said the contraband was intercepted on Tuesday.

“Upon investigation by the customs officials it was discovered that the traveller was the owner of a bag that contained eight laptop bags with hidden compartments laden with a white powdery substance,” said Memela.

He said the white substance tested positive for cocaine and the suspect and goods have been handed over to the SA Police Service. She will soon appear in court. – ANA