EASTERN CAPE - CRADOCK SAPS SEIZE DAGGA & MANDRAX WORTH R17 MILLION EN ROUTE TO PORT ELIZABETH

The SAPS’ fight against the proliferation of drugs paid off on 18 March 2017, at 23:30 when Cradock Highway Patrol members with Cradock members pulled off a white Toyota Hilux bakkie travelling towards Port Elizabeth and discovered 23 bags of dagga in the back the bakkie. Two (2) suspects, aged 25 and 27 years old were arrested. The 23 bags of dagga with a total weight of 486.2 kg and an estimated street value of R 1, 4million was confiscated. The vehicle with registration number FJ99JHGP was hired from Unitrans in Boksburg, Gauteng was also confiscated.  The suspects will appear in the Cradock Magistrates Court today, on charges of dealing in dagga.  

While on the scene, another white Colt bakkie was also stopped. Police noticed that the vehicle had a long wheel base, but the canopy was smaller compared to the long wheel base of the bakkie. A decision was made that proper investigation be conducted at the police station where there was adequate lighting. Upon searching the vehicle, police discovered 200 000 mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R16 million in a hidden compartment of the canopy. The 45-year-old suspect was arrested. The mandrax and the privately owned vehicle, registration number VGB 355 GP were confiscated. The suspect will appear in the Cradock Magistrates’ Court on charges of dealing with mandrax.  

Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga commended the Cradock SAPS members for their alertness and the recovery of the dagga and mandrax. “The police in the Province are committed in the fight against the proliferation of drugs. This recovery of mandrax is the biggest ever recorded in Eastern Cape and maybe also the biggest in the country.  This must definitely send a message that SAPS members even in the small towns and/or rural areas are as vigilant and will continue to be visible and maintain zero tolerance approach in preventing crime in their policing areas”, said Lt Gen Ntshinga.