The drugs seized in Parow. Photo: SAPS
A foreign national is expected to appear in the Parow Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town once charged, after being found in possession of mandrax worth R1 million.
The 42-year-old suspect was arrested on Tuesday morning.
The Western Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said officers attached to the Anti-Economical and Extortion Task Team are determined to root out the illegal trade of drugs in the province.
“Due to the perseverance of the police members they responded to information of a possible distribution point for drugs. In the early hours of Tuesday, October 29, 2024, a multi-disciplinary team responded to intelligence-driven information and approached a residence in Parow. Upon entering the house, a search ensued which resulted in the recovery of a consignment of drugs with an estimated street value of R1 million. They detained a 42-year-old foreign national for dealing in drugs,” Swartbooi said.
This is the second bust of a large consignment of drugs removed from the streets by cops in just under two days.
In a separate incident, the same team pursued information about the transportation and distribution of drugs on Sunday, October 27.
“The team pursued information of a delivery vehicle travelling between Johannesburg and Cape Town used as an instrument in the commission of a crime, possibly drug trafficking. The members took action and proceeded to the N1 Toll Plaza in Paarl. At about 2pm, they saw the suspicious delivery vehicle approaching the toll gate and instructed the driver to stop, upon which a search ensued,” Swartbooi said.
He said a Zimbabwean national was arrested.
“The search proved successful when they recovered a consignment of methamphetamine (tik) with an estimated street value of R50,000 hidden inside the truck. They detained the driver, a 46-year-old Zimbabwean foreign national for dealing in drugs,” Swartbooi said.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Paarl Magistrate’s Court soon.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
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