A major clandestine drug manufacturing operation has been dismantled following a multi-unit police operation. Members of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in the Western Cape, together with Western Cape Counter-narcotics and Gangs units, conducted a raid on a smallholding in Thulwe, near Maubane in the North West Province.
The operation was initiated after Western Cape Hawks investigators followed up on information related to a suspect who had fled a separate case involving drug proliferation. This intelligence led them to the North West location.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered an active Mandrax manufacturing laboratory. Six suspects, aged between 44 and 55, were found on the scene and were immediately arrested. Police seized a large quantity of finished Mandrax tablets, bulk powder suspected to be the drug’s precursor chemicals, and specialized equipment including a drug press, a crusher machine, scales, and packaging materials. The estimated street value of the confiscated drugs runs into millions of rands.
All six arrested individuals are expected to appear in court soon to face charges of manufacturing drugs.
