Police have confiscated a large quantity of Mandrax tablets packaged in brown boxes worth around half-a-million rand.
On Saturday 5 October police attached to the Flying Squad and Manenberg Police Station made the discovery at a property in Red River Walk following a tip-off from the community.
“On searching the premises officers found 15 000 Mandrax tables packed in brown boxes worth an estimated street value of R500 000,” said Manenberg police spokesperson Capt Ian Bennett.
“These officers are deployed within the Manenberg policing precinct to combat gangs and their illegal activity.”
The bust resulted in the arrest of a 47-year-old man for possession of drugs.This arrest has been commended by Col Jayce Naidoo, acting station commander at Manenberg.
“Substance abuse has plagued the community and is the root cause of gender-based violence,” Bennett pointed out, “and is the main generator of gang violence and turf conflict.”
Vernon Visagie, Manenberg Community Policing Forum (CPF) chair, said the confiscation was a shock, although just the “tip of the iceberg”.
“We are both surprised and shocked that this amount of drugs was found,” he said, “but then again we have always underestimated the drug trade within the Manenberg precinct.”He said the manner in which these drugs were packaged could indicate it was destined for other communities. Manenberg is a hub for drugs moving to other communities, Visagie pointed out.
Bennett said this was a blow to the trade.“This large consignment of drugs will slow down the drug trade within the Manenberg policing precinct,” he said.
Drug trading and use in the precinct remained a concern, Visagie added.As in this case, according to Visagie the community is sending good information and tip-offs, resulting in arrests.
He urged residents to continue doing so. Anyone with information regarding any illegal activity is urged to contact Manenberg police on 021 699 9400 or CrimeStop on 08600 10111.
