A Drug Trafficker Was Arrested In Komani With R9 Million Worth Of Mandrax Tablets

On Saturday, February 8, 2025, a 55-year-old man was arrested in Komani as part of a Crime Intelligence investigation that resulted in the discovery of R9 million in mandrax pills. The operation was carried out based on information obtained by the police.

Multi-Agency Teamwork Stops Drug Trafficking

The operation involved members of the K9 Unit and Red Guard Security, who responded to a tip regarding an Isuzu truck trafficking drugs from Gauteng Province to East London. The team found the vehicle on Cathcart Road in Komani and successfully stopped it. A search of the car yielded 111 bags, each containing 1,000 mandrax pills worth an estimated R9 million. The drugs and car used to commit the crime were confiscated.

The 55-year-old man, whose identity has not yet been disclosed was arrested and facing charges of possession and dealing in drugs and was scheduled to appear before the Komani Magistrate Court on Monday, February 10, 2025.

Major General Rudolph Adolph, the Chris Hani District Commissioner, applauded the members for their quick response and vigilance, he also thanked community members for providing crucial information that led to the arrest and retrieval.

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Mandrax in South Africa

Mandrax, often known as “buttons,” “MX,” “lizards,” and “flowers,” is a combination of methaqualone and antihistamine it was initially used as a sleeping pill.

After its abuse potential was identified, mandrax was withdrawn from the legal market and designated as a banned drug. South Africa has the world’s largest consumer market for mandrax.

Mandrax is often smoked by crushing it and mixing it with cannabis in a “bottle neck” or “white pipe”. Users say that the substance has comparable effects to other central nervous system depressants, such as calming and relieving stress, anxiety, and tension.

Drug networks frequently enter the mandrax space because they are unable to manage the heroin or crystal meth markets. Mandrax provides a profitable opportunity for organised criminals, but not on the same scale as heroin or crystal meth.

Precursors for mandrax, such as anthranilic acid, are commonly sourced from countries like India and, to a lesser extent, China.

Law enforcement should target key individuals in the criminal chain, such as manufacturers and suppliers of the drugs and their precursors, to stop the spread of mandrax in South Africa.

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