The SAPS has destroyed R5.2 billion worth of drugs in three years.
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The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Fannie Masemola announced that drugs worth R5.2 billion have been seized and destroyed in three years.
Masemola was speaking at the Drug Destruction SAPS forensic science lab in Cape Town in the Western Cape.
"The total estimated street value of the 800 kilograms of drugs that are being destroyed today is more than R340 million. This is our second visit at this plant in the last 12 months. About a year ago, we gathered at this very plant to destroy R550 million worth of drugs," he said.
Masemola added that in the 2023/2024 fiscal year, 14.5 tonnes were destroyed, while in the 2024/2025 fiscal year, 15.2 tonnes have been destroyed.
He highlighted that this is a significant achievement in the fight against drug-related crimes.
"In the past two weeks, three drug traffickers were arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport, these drug traffickers include two South Africans who were found with a combined R7.5 million worth of cocaine as well as a 55-year-old Nigerian drug trafficker. All these suspects had just landed from Brazil at the OR Tambo International Airport."
In the 2023/2024 fiscal year, 14.5 tonnes of drugs were destroyed, while in the 2024/2025 fiscal year, 15.2 tonnes have been destroyed.
Image: Supplied
Operation Shanela continues to pursue criminals across the country. Since May 2023, 114,769 people have been detained for drug possession, and 29,820 for drug selling.
"These are indeed encouraging figures...All drug exhibit materials approved for destruction this morning all undergo a thorough auditing process," said the Commissioner.
"These exhibits are verified against the destruction authority within the system, and a secondary audit is conducted by the Component: Quality Management before the final destruction to ensure full compliance with prescribed standards."
The SAPS Commissioner said police prioritise the safety and well-being of its communities by getting rid of drugs.
Image: Supplied
Masemola went on to say that SAPS prioritises the safety and well-being of its communities. Drug exhibits are destroyed in strict conformity with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Environmental Management Act, maintaining high safety and environmental standards.
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