By Everson Luhanga
Police destroyed five tons of drugs worth R550 million at an operation in Olifantsfontein near Tembisa on Wednesday.
Among the drugs destroyed were R185 million worth of cocaine and R28 million worth of heroin.
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola headed the operation and was joined by several senior police and specialised officers.
Wearing protective equipment, General Masemola and his crew of senior officials opened a five-ton truck in which the drugs were transported.
Masemola said the drugs were confiscated during policing operations in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West, Gauteng, Free State and Limpopo.
As officials, wearing gloves and masks, offloaded the drugs, a strong smell lingered in an open building where the drugs were being taken to be destroyed.
This is the second time the police have destroyed drugs worth millions of rands in a week.
Briefing the media General Masemola said in this financial year alone, more than R1 billion worth of drugs have been destroyed.
In the 2022/2023 financial year, six tons of drugs were seized and destroyed with a value of R2 billion.
Masemola said the police’s anti-drug units and all other officials have been working hard to root out drug-related crimes in different parts of the country.
Among the drugs that were destroyed on Wednesday were mandrax, cocaine, tik, heroin and unregistered pharmaceutical drugs.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa onsite after the operation, General Masemola said drugs are only destroyed after a case has been finalised in court.
He said the police are on track to winning the war against the scourge of drugs in South Africa with the cooperation they have from international law enforcement agencies.
He, however, urged citizens in the country to help police fight drugs.
“We admit that there are a lot more drugs on the streets,” he said.
“The police and all other role players are doing all they can to sniff out the drugs. We conduct campaigns in schools and a national Operation Shanela that has helped to root out drugs.”
Pictured above: Police conducting their drug-destroying operation.
Image source: Everson Luhanga
