Drug-ridden SA a major trading hub for UK and US dealers

DRUG HAUL: In one of the biggest drug hauls in the country, police in Villiersdorp seized 253 boxes of cocaine estimated at R300 million.

DRUG HAUL: In one of the biggest drug hauls in the country, police in Villiersdorp seized 253 boxes of cocaine estimated at R300 million.

Published Jul 31, 2017

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Cape Town - South Africa has become a major transit route for illicit drugs heading to markets in the US and UK.

In the first six months of this year, drugs worth nearly R180 million were seized at the country's entry and exit points.

Sars spokesperson Sandile Memela said most of the drugs confiscated by customs officials were heading out of the country, with large quantities going to the UK and the US.

Memela said traffickers were becoming smarter at getting drugs in and out of South Africa.

“The types of drugs are cannabis, cocaine, crystal meth, DMT, ecstasy, ephedrine, heroin, khat, LSD, magic mushrooms, mandrax, Nyaope and rush poppers. Some of the creative ways that traffickers use to transport drugs involve shampoo bottles, false compartments in bags and boxes, the inside of books and in boxes of food and body wraps.”

He said they've made more than 400 drug busts this year, the biggest being that of 271kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of more than R77m.

“Drugs are detected at our ports through baggage scanners, detector dogs, passenger profiling, cargo profiling and, at times, we also receive tip-offs from other authorities or the public,” said Memela.

Last weekend, police identified and raided nearly 100 drug houses in one police precinct, leading to the arrest of 207 people. The raid took place in Nyanga and police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said the drugs confiscated included more than 14 000 mandrax tablets, over 4 600 grams of dagga and nearly 600 units of tik. They also confiscated more than 300 litres of alcohol from illegal shebeens. A further 26 suspects were arrested in Philippi.

Dr David Bayever from the government drug control organisation known as CDA, said the drug problem in South Africa remains extremely serious.

Drug usage is twice the world norm in most cases and 15% of South Africans have a drug problem, he said.

Bayever said while some drugs were locally produced, the country is a major shipment hub for drugs.

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