R920k Mandrax pille on a truck

Western Cape police have intercepted a R920 000 shipment of Mandrax in Beaufort-West, before it could reach Cape Town this festive season.

In a statement released on Friday, the police said that on Thursday night, during a roadblock in Donkin Road, officers stopped a delivery truck which was en route to the Kaap and upon searching the vehicle, they found 19 345 mandrax tablets.

The 52-year-old driver was arrested on a charge of dealing in drugs.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the drugs were destined for delivery and distribution in the Cape metropole.

In a separate incident, Kwanokuthula police swiftly responded to information on illicit activities at a house in Angola Street, Kwanokuthula, near Plettenberg Bay.

Police found small quantities of tik, mandrax tablets and dagga at the residence.

They confiscated the drugs and arrested the 46-year-old suspect on a charge drug dealing.

Both suspects remain in police custody.

They are expected to appear in the respective local courts in Beaufort West and Plettenberg Bay today.

Provincial commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile, applauded the police for their efforts to eradicate drug trafficking as well as the distribution of drugs into communities.

“The strategic deployment of resources along the highways of the Western Cape is yielding positive results.

“Our focus to rid communities of illicit drugs and firearms remains one of our key priorities.

“The heightened police visibility would be sustained during the festive period,” he said.

IOL