CAPE TOWN: South African Hawks have seized a consignment of Mandrax tablets with a street value of R5m, arresting three suspects in Cape Town, the Hawks said here the other day.
Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the arrests took place on Sunday in a joint operation involving the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and Crime Intelligence.
“On 15 March 2015, members of the DPCI and Crime Intelligence acted on information gathered about Mandrax tablets that were being transported from Gauteng to the Western Cape.
“The assistance of the Paarl K9 Unit and the Forensics Department was sought to assist in the extensive examination during the search and seizure of four suspected vehicles,” said Mulaudzi.
Around 23:20, the vehicles were stopped at the Huguenot Toll Gate and the Hawks seized large quantities of drugs which included 117 000 mandrax tablets valued at R5.2m, 10 000 ecstasy tablets with a street value of R500 000, and an undisclosed amount of cash.
The drugs were found hidden in the vehicles’ compartments. It was found that the fourth vehicle was not involved and it was released.
“Three smugglers, who have extensive criminal records, have been taken into custody. The three suspects, aged between 20 and 40, are likely to face charges of possession and dealing in drugs.
