Johannesburg – Law enforcement agencies have made significant drug busts in South Africa.
In Makapanstad, North West province, Hawks and Counter-Narcotics teams discovered a clandestine lab manufacturing Mandrax, arresting six suspects aged 44–55 and seizing large quantities of tablets, powder, and production equipment.
According to Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale, the team followed leads connected to a suspect who had absconded in an unrelated drug trafficking case.
“Members of Serious Organised Crime Investigation of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in the Western Cape followed up information which led them to a small holding in Thulwe in the north-west of Maubane in North West Province,” Mogale said.
#sapsHAWKS Millions worth of drugs were discovered at a clandestine laboratory in Makapanstad, in the North West by members of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in the Western Cape together with Counter-narcotics and Gangs, Western Cape. Six suspects aged between 44… pic.twitter.com/txOLqOVwgX
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 8, 2025
“Upon the Hawks’ arrival, six suspects aged between 44 and 55 were found manufacturing Mandrax. Large quantities of finished product (tablets) and powder were found at the scene. All six were arrested. Drug press, crusher machine, scales and packaging bags.”
Meanwhile, in Midrand, Gauteng, police seized cocaine worth around R20 million during an intelligence-driven operation; the drugs had been smuggled from a neighboring country and were destined for Cape Town.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
