Cape Town - Police confiscated more than 141 000 Mandrax tablets worth an estimated value of R8.5 million and arrested 50 wanted persons in an inter-provincial cross-border crime combating operation between the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape provinces last week.
Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said the operation included all SAPS-Units, Provincial and local Municipal Traffic departments, Sars, SANParks, Home Affairs and others.
Efforts were coordinated from a Joint Operational Centre based in Beaufort-West from May 23-26.
“A significant decline in reported crime, especially in the targeted areas of deployment, compared to previous operations was observed,” Pojie said.
Police arrested a total of 170 people for various serious criminal offences, including 50 wanted suspects. Seventeen people were arrested for drug related offences, Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Integrated forces on the ground, who were strategically deployed, conducted 6340 searches, - 3596 people were searched, 2498 vehicles searched and 61 premises identified hotspots searched.
Police confiscated more than 4kg dagga, 79.17g of Tik worth an estimated R19 792-50, 141 926 Mandrax tablets worth R8.5 million, 28 800 valued at R60 000, as well as four laptops.
“In the early hours of Wednesday, members who had been placed strategically along the N-9 between Uniondale and Willowmore pulled over a delivery truck en route to the Cape Metropole.
“During a routine search, members discovered a hidden compartment in the roof of the truck, and upon checking, found 141 400 Mandrax tablets concealed in plastic bags, estimated at a value of about R 8.48 million inside the hidden panel.
“Subsequently, members arrested a 24-year old suspect who had been charged for dealing in illicit drugs. The suspect is still in custody pending a formal bail application,” Pojie said.
Provincial police management of all three provinces lauded the members and participating counterparts for their commitment and diligence during the operation.
“These operations will continue throughout the remainder of this financial year, unannounced,” Pojie said.
Cape Times