Cape Town - A crack team of SANDF soldiers has seized a massive R223 million haul of erectile dysfunction tablets being smuggled into South Africa through the Lebombo border post crossing in Mpumalanga.
Joint Operations Tactical Headquarters Mpumalanga spokesperson Major Lerato Endrew Maluleka said the bust was made on October 17 by the Bravo Company of 15 South African Infantry Battalion who were participating in an intelligence-driven operation.
The SANDF said in a statement that the soldiers deployed under Operation Corona border protection duty intercepted a cargo truck carrying maize bran that was travelling from Mozambique.
“On searching the vehicle, soldiers initially found it to be transporting maize bran, but further investigation revealed 107 boxes containing Cobra 120 and Cobra 200 erectile dysfunction tablets.”
Joint Operations Chief Lieutenant-General Siphiwe Lucky Sangweni said the SANDF would continue fighting cross-border crimes that had a negative impact on the economy.
The SANDF said the driver of the truck was arrested and the truck was confiscated and handed over to SAPS Mpumalanga.
SAPS said the tablets confiscated were worth R223 020 000.
Made in India, Cobra 120 and Cobra 200 contain sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra.
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) classifies sildenafil as a substance listed in Schedule 4 of the Medicines Schedules.
Sildenafil citrate, often referred to as “generic Viagra”, is best known as a treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Sahpra has previously warned consumers not to buy illicit and dangerous medicines containing sildenafil, used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Sahpra said although medicines such as Viagra, Dynafll and Avigra were approved by Sahpra, they must be prescribed by a doctor.
“Any person who wishes to acquire these products needs a diagnosis, prescription, management and close monitoring by authorised medical professionals,” Sahpra said.