OR TAMBO DISTRICT - The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene applauded the sterling efforts of members involved in the huge drug bust and the arrest of a 33-year-old suspect in Mthatha this morning.

At about 10:10 today, while performing Operation Sikhona duties in Mthatha, the Tactical Response Team (TRT) members followed up on information received about a suspicious person driving a silver Toyota Etios. The vehicle was spotted in Nelson Mandela Drive and stopped. The driver from Gqeberha was alone and the vehicle was thoroughly searched. A substantial amount of money was found on the passenger seat. A further search resulted in the discovery of a huge consignment of mandrax tablets found hidden in the door panels of the vehicle.

A total of 8928 mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R700 000 was confiscated. The vehicle was also impounded for further investigation.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 13 February 2023.

Lt Gen Mene praised all role players involved in supplying the intelligence which led to the successful execution of the operation. ‘Illegal possession of firearms and drugs is a growing concern. We cannot and will not stand back and allow the drug market to flourish. The strong stance taken by police, is a warning to drug dealers that we will continue to be resolute in making sure that these offenders are deprived of the proceeds of crime,’ added Lt Gen Mene.

Source: South African Police Service