South African police seize Mandrax worth R2.05m from Zimbabwean trucker

By IOL 

A TRUCK driver has been arrested after South African police allegedly found a large quantity of Mandrax tablets in his vehicle.

The 44-year-old Zimbabwean was busted in Kraaifontein with 41 000 tablets of the drug on Saturday, 13 September 2026, while allegedly transporting the drugs to Johannesburg. 

Western Cape police say the drugs are worth  R2.05 million. 

Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala broke it down, saying: “A joint operation by members of Flying Squad and Crime Intelligence resulted in the seizure of 41 000 mandrax tablets in Kraaifontein [on Saturday].

“The team acted on intelligence received about a Volvo truck transporting drugs from Johannesburg to Cape Town. 

“They spotted the truck and stopped it at a petrol station on the N1. A search was conducted and police found two duffel bags containing mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R2.05 million. 

“A 44-year-old male was arrested for possession of drugs and dealing in drugs.”

A separate drug seizure on the N1 near Beaufort West was estimated at R5.85 million.

The suspect will make his first court appearance at the Kuils River Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 14 September 2026.

This follows an earlier bust by cops on the N1 at Beaufort West on Thursday. 

Members of the Western Cape Organized Crime Investigations, Crime Intelligence and Beaufort West police conducted an intelligence-driven operation when they intercepted a vehicle on the N1 highway.

Several police units confiscated drugs with an estimated street value of R5.85 million.

The 46-year-old man remains in police custody and is expected to make his first court appearance in the Beaufort West Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 14 September 2026.