Huge Mandrax Busts

The Mossel Bay, Overstrand and Swartland K-9, inclusive of the Rural Safety Units (RSUs) in the Overstrand and Swartland, ensured major breakthroughs in the fight against crime. Between 5 to 19 September 2023, these units with various other municipal law enforcement agencies and the South African Police Service (SAPS), arrested seventy-six (76)individuals for a number of crimes. Of these, forty-three (43) were apprehended in the Overstrand municipal area, seventeen (17) in the Mossel Bay region and sixteen (16) in the Swartland.

The Mossel Bay K-9 unit made a significant discovery when in one of our searches in Asla Park, they found 7 236 mandrax tablets. The unit also conducted a drug awareness programme with learners from Denneprag Primary School, warning learners against the dangers of substance abuse. The arrests from this unit occurred in KwaNonqaba, Sonskyn Valley, JCC Camp and Mountain View and consisted of:

• x2 business robbery,
• x2 possession of imitation firearm,
• x7 possession of drugs,
• x1 possession of a dangerous weapon,
• x2 dealing in liquor and
• x3 riotous behaviour.

In addition to the 7 236 mandrax tablets, the unit confiscated:

• x2,8kg of dagga,
• x11 bankies heroin,
• R5 ammunition and
• Various items of stolen property, including a cellphone.

Amongst others, the Swartland arrests, which occurred in Riebeek-Kasteel, Chatsworth, Malmesbury, darling and Moorreesburg included:

• x2 dealing in liquor,
• x4 dealing in drugs,
• x6 possession of drugs and
• x1 possession of a dangerous weapon.

The units also confiscated:

• x336 mandrax tablets,
• x1 bankie of dagga,
• x5 small zipper bags containing tik,
• x1 dangerous weapon,
• x8 9mm live rounds (ammunition) and
• 72.6kg of mixed copper.

Amongst others the Overstand arrests included:

• x1 dealing in drugs,
• x10 possession of drugs,
• x5 for possession of dangerous weapons,
• x3 for possession of West Coast Rock Lobster (WCRL) tails,
• x4 for the possession of stolen property,
• x3 attempting to fish without a permit,
• x1 assault and
• x12 wanted suspects.

This unit, which also discovered a cannabis laboratory with various paraphernalia, confiscated:

• x523 WCRL tails,
• x14 mandrax tablets and
• x2 knives.

Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen said: “The over 7-thousand and more than 300 mandrax tablets discovered in Mossel Bay and the Swartland cannot go unnoticed. It once again demonstrates how important our K-9 and Rural Safety units are in removing items that are drivers of various crimes from our communities. As the Western Cape Government, we want to ensure that our residents do not have to contend with criminals and their illicit operations.”

It is critical that all community members continue to work with and provide information to these units, so that safer environments, where residents can live in dignity may be established across the entire province,” concluded Minister Reagen Allen.