Three arrested with mandrax worth R10 million in Hout Bay

The Hawks arrested three suspects in possession of drugs worth R10 million.

Three suspects have been arrested after they were found in possession of drugs worth R10 million in Hout Bay, Cape Town, on Thursday, October 8.

The Western Cape spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as Hawks), Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani, said the arrests follow an intelligence operation.

Hani said members of the Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) team arrested the suspects.

“This emanates from an intelligence-driven operation that resulted in two vehicles being stopped and searched, where 172,000 mandrax tablets were seized hidden in a false compartment,” Hani said.

The arrested suspects are currently detained and expected to appear in court on drug trafficking charges.

“The suspects are due to make their first appearance at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, October 12, 2026,” Hani said.

In an unrelated matter, members attached to Operation Prosper conducted an operation in Algoa Court in Hanover Park and arrested a suspect found in possession of a .38 Special revolver with 16 rounds of ammunition. The suspect faces charges for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The suspect will appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court once charged.