R500 000 mandrax bust in Manenberg

Police have seized 15 000 mandrax tablets with a street value of R500 000 and arrested a suspected drug dealer in Manenberg.

Officers acting on a tip-off arrested the 47-year-old man at a house in Red River Walk, on Sunday, for drug possession and dealing, say police.

Officers had searched the house and found the mandrax tablets packed in brown boxes, said police spokesperson Captain Ian Bennett.

“Substance abuse has plagued the community, and is the root cause of gender-based violence and is the main generator of gang violence and turf conflict. The confiscation of this large consignment of drugs will slow down the drug trade within the Manenberg policing precinct,” Captain Bennett said.

Manenberg Community Police Forum chairperson Vernon Visagie said: “SAPS is doing brilliant work in raiding suspected drug houses. They are also flooding the place with police visibility. I think it is a good initiative that all law enforcement agencies are working together in the precinct. What they need to do now is take control of the situation and get more drugs off the streets.”

Report crime to Manenberg SAPS at 021 699 9400 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.