Cape Town – The SA Police Service (SAPS) has destroyed 800 kgs of confiscated illicit drugs including cocaine, Tik, Mandrax, and dagga with an estimated street value of R340 million.
The drug destruction on Friday, (7 March 2025), at the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory, brings to R5,2 billion worth of drugs destroyed in the last three years.
“This is our second visit to this plant in the last 12 months. About a year ago, we gathered at this very plant to destroy R550 million worth of drugs,” said SAPS National Commissioner General Sehlahle Fannie Masemola.
“In three years, we have destroyed various types of drugs worth R5.2 billion.
“This R5.2 billion includes drugs that were confiscated nationally during the 2022/2023 financial year which was approximately 20.8 tons of drug exhibit material.”
General Masemola said in the 2023/2024 financial year, approximately 14.5 tons have been destroyed and in this financial year, which is the 2024/2025 financial year, approximately 15.2 tons have been destroyed to date, excluding today.
“Today presents an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate a significant achievement in the fight against drug-related crimes,” General Masemola said.
“The values and sentences associated with these cases are a testament to the dedication and effectiveness of law enforcement efforts.
“Just this past week alone, police have registered several successes which include the discovery of an arms cache right here in Cape Town.”
In an intelligence-driven operation, the Western Cape SAPS anti-gang unit and crime intelligence officers followed up on information and seized 26 illegal and unlicensed firearms in Belville South as well as in Stikland in Cape Town.
Some of those firearms include 3xAK47 automatic rifles, an R5, 12x9mm pistols, 3x Uzzi, and 2 revolvers amongst other high calibre firearms.
In this same operation, 50 000 tablets of mandrax were also seized.
Two suspects have already appeared in court on a charge of the illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and drugs as well as the possession of illegal explosives.
“This recent success sends out a strong message in a province that is struggling with gang-related violence that police will not rest until we seize and confiscate all illegal and unlicensed firearms across the length and breadth of the cape flats and surrounding areas,” said General Masemola.
“Just yesterday, Gauteng police discovered a drug manufacturing laboratory at an identified address in Westonaria.
“Police were executing a search warrant where they found drug manufacturing equipment to the value of R10 million.”
Two suspects have been arrested thus far.
In the past two weeks, police arrested three suspected drug traffickers at OR TAMBO International Airport.
The suspects include two South Africans, who were found with a combined R7.5 million worth of cocaine, and a 55-year-old Nigerian drug trafficker.
All these suspects had just landed from Brazil at the OR Tambo International Airport.
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In the past six months, more than 20 drug traffickers have been arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport, which is known as a gateway to Africa.
“We applaud the vigilance of all our police officers at all ports working closely with other government departments and key stakeholders,” said General Masemola.
On Wednesday this week, six million rand worth of cocaine disguised as hair products was also seized at one of the warehouses at the OR Tambo International Airport.
The shipment was from Brazil en route to France via SA according to the shipment receipt.
Just this week as well, the hawks also seized R720 000 worth of ecstasy tablets at an East London bus depot.
The drugs were being transported from Durban to Cape Town.
One suspect has been arrested thus far.
In another hawk’s drug bust, hawks’ investigators in KwaZulu Natal followed up on intelligence on the smuggling of dagga at the Golela Land Port.
The dagga worth R450 000 million was intercepted on a train.
“These are just some of the successes that have been registered in relation to police efforts in preventing and combatting the drug trade from thriving in the country,” said General Masemola.
“Through Operation Shanela, we continue to smoke out criminals in all forms or shapes from every corner of this country.”
General Masemola said since the inception of Operation Shanela in May 2023, 114 769 suspects were arrested for the possession of illicit drugs and 29 820 suspects were also arrested for dealing in drugs.
“These are indeed encouraging figures,” said General Masemola.
“Coming back to the business of the day… All drug exhibit materials approved for destruction this morning all undergo a thorough auditing process.”
The general said the exhibits were verified against the destruction authority within the system, and a secondary audit was conducted by the Component: Quality Management before the final destruction to ensure full compliance with prescribed standards.
“‘Our Forensic Science Laboratory: Chemistry Section plays a critical role in analysing confiscated substances and providing courts with scientific reports that detail,” said General Masemola.
Verification includes detailing the type of drug, quantity, and classification as per relevant legislation.
“Today, the Forensic Science Laboratories in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape will oversee the destruction of approximately 800 kilograms of illicit drugs through incineration,” said General Masemola.
These substances and drugs include Methaqualone (Mandrax), Methamphetamine (Tik), Cocaine, and various other narcotics.
One of the significant cases included in today’s destruction process is the “Swartkops case”.
This case involved the seizure of 513 kilograms of pure cocaine, with an estimated street value of R220 million.
“This case had far-reaching international implications, as several suspects were arrested in Brazil as part of a collaborative effort to dismantle a major transnational drug trafficking network,” said General Masemola.
“The success of this case highlights SAPS’ role in global crime-fighting initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to working alongside international law enforcement agencies to combat organised crime and the global drug trade.
“The safety and well-being of our communities remain the SAPS top priority.”
General Masemola said the destruction of drug exhibits was conducted in strict compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Environmental Management Act, ensuring that all processes adhere to the highest safety and environmental standards.
“SAPS extends its gratitude to all those who play a major role in the fight against the drug trade in our country, led by our men and women in blue, with the assistance of vigilant community members whose collaborative efforts have made these successes possible,” General Masemola said.
