PICS | Police intercept R700,000 drug deal at Cape Town fast food outlet

Drugs

Cape Town – A police drug bust at a fast food outlet in Athlone has led to the seizure of mandrax tablets worth an estimated R700,000 and the arrest of five suspects, according to Western Cape police spokesperson Captain Frederick C van Wyk.

The operation unfolded around 13:20 on Tuesday, 2 July 2025, when members of the Maitland Flying Squad acted on intelligence regarding suspected drug activity at a business premises in Belgravia, Athlone.

Upon arrival, officers spotted three vehicles — a white Mercedes Benz, a white Renault, and a white Hyundai — in the parking area. They observed one suspect transferring a black bag from one vehicle into another.

“As members approached the vehicles, two of the suspects attempted to walk away but were apprehended,” said Van Wyk.

“The members searched all the vehicles and found in the one vehicle 3,000 mandrax tablets and, in the other, an undisclosed amount of cash believed to be the proceeds of crime.”

Further investigation led officers to a property in Crawford, where they discovered an additional 13,000 mandrax tablets and an undisclosed quantity of schedule 1 medication.

Van Wyk said the bust was part of ongoing efforts to tackle illegal drug activity in the province: “Endeavours to curb the use of illicit drugs in the Western Cape once again yielded excellent results when drugs with an estimated street value of R700,000 were confiscated in Athlone.”

Five suspects — a 58-year-old woman and four men aged between 48 and 60 — were arrested and charged with possession and dealing in drugs. The seized drugs, cash, and three vehicles were handed in as exhibits at Athlone SAPS.

The suspects’ cellphones were also confiscated for further investigation.

They are expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court soon.

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