Minister Marais commends Law Enforcement agencies for disrupting illicit drug trade
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, has commended the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies for a series of intelligence-driven operations that have resulted in significant seizures of illicit drugs across the province.
These operations demonstrate the determination of law enforcement agencies in the Western Cape to target the criminal economy that fuels violence, gangsterism and the ongoing killings in communities across the province.
“These successes are a blow to criminal networks that profit from the illicit drug trade and use these proceeds to sustain other criminal activities, including the proliferation of illegal firearms,” said Minister Marais.
Among the recent successes were:
6 September 2026: Public Order Police seized 74 mandrax tablets and two packets of crystal meth in Lwandle, with a 25-year-old man arrested.
6 September 2026: Operation Prosper members seized khat, mandrax tablets, crystal meth, dagga and an undisclosed amount of cash during operations in Nyanga, Elsies River, Bellville and Kraaifontein: Four men, aged between 36 and 41, were arrested for possession and dealing in drugs.
7 September 2026: Public Order Police seized 309 sachets of crystal meth, 154 packets of cocaine, 10 heroin straws and four mandrax tablets in Manenberg. A 19-year-old man was arrested.
9 September 2026: SAPS members seized 27 270 mandrax tablets at a residence in Da Gama Street, Parow. A 39-year-old man was arrested.
10 September 2026: Western Cape Organised Crime Investigations, Crime Intelligence and Beaufort West police intercepted a vehicle on the N1in Beaufort West and seized 57 000 mandrax tablets and 5kg of cocaine. The 46-year-old driver was arrested for dealing in drugs.
12 September 2026: Flying Squad and Crime Intelligence members seized 41 000 mandrax tablets, with an estimated street value of R2.05 million in Kraaifontein. A 44-year-old man was arrested.
Weekend operations across Ravensmead, Elsies River, Bellville South, Heideveld, Lentegeur, Manenberg and Bonteheuwel also resulted in the seizure of 197 sachets of crystal meth, 127 mandrax tablets, 28 heroin straws, five packets of heroin, 16 sachets of cocaine, a .38 Special revolver and cash. Eight suspects, aged between 18 and 71, were arrested.
Minister Marais also welcomed the successful conclusion of an earlier drug-related case in Oudtshoorn, which demonstrates the importance of thorough investigations that ultimately result in convictions.
In April 2025, Oudtshoorn police seized 1 943 mandrax tablets and 27 half tablets, as well as R12 000 believed to be proceeds of the illicit drug trade, following a high-speed pursuit. Four suspects were arrested. Three subsequently stood trial and were convicted, with Roberto Khumalo and Ziphozihle Diamond each sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment, while Emile Spogter was sentenced to six years' imprisonment.
“We must work even harder to break the back of these evil criminal networks. An arrest is not the end of the process. The investigation must be thorough, evidence must be properly gathered, and cases must be prepared in a manner that gives prosecutors the best possible opportunity to secure convictions,” said Minister Marais.
Minister Marais thanked the members of SAPS and other law enforcement agencies involved in these operations, as well as members of the public who continue to provide information that enables intelligence-led policing.
“I want to particularly thank those residents who provide credible information about criminal activity in their communities. Your information enables law enforcement agencies to disrupt the activities of the criminal networks responsible for the ongoing killings in the Western Cape.”
“I therefore urge residents to keep reporting suspicious activity and criminality to our law enforcement agencies,” Minister Marais concluded.
Citizens can report information anonymously through the following channels:
- SAPS Crime Stop: 08600 10111
- MySAPS Mobile Application
- City of Cape Town Tip-Off Line: 0800 110077
Media Enquiries:
Kurt Nefdt
Acting MLO to Minister Anroux Marais
0842851975