PICS: R420 million worth of drugs and unregistered medicine destroyed in Gauteng
The South African Police Service destroyed drugs and unregistered medicines worth an astonishing R420 million on Thursday morning in Gauteng.
The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, said this destruction is not just symbolic.
“It is a powerful demonstration of our ongoing efforts to dismantle the illicit drug trade and to safeguard the health, safety, and future of our nation.
“The fight against drug-related crimes continues to be intensified in all provinces, in particular the gang-infested areas, with a strong focus on supply reduction, as outlined in the National Drug Master Plan.”
This is the second drug-destroying operation this year. In March, SAPS destroyed R340 million worth of drugs.
General Masemola said that in three years, a total of R5.3billion worth of drugs have been destroyed.
Among them are mandrax, cocaine, heroin, narcotics, and unregistered pharmaceutical products; the very substances that fuel addiction and empower criminal syndicates.
In Gauteng
➢ Mandrax worth R285 000, seized in Emandeni, KwaZulu-Natal, in 2022.
➢ Mandrax manufacturing substances worth R50 million, concealed in false compartments of a truck, were intercepted at the Ramatlabama port of entry in 2022, en route to Johannesburg.
➢ Cocaine valued at R6 million, seized between 2016 and 2022 at OR Tambo International Airport, where six drug traffickers were arrested and each sentenced to between three and 10 years imprisonment.
IOL News