South African Police Destroy R5.2 Billion Worth of Drugs in Three Years

KEY POINTS

• South African police have destroyed drugs worth R5.2 billion over the past three years, including 800kg worth R340 million in a recent operation.
• Recent busts include cocaine, ecstasy, and dagga, with significant arrests made at OR Tambo International Airport and other key locations.
• The fight against drug trafficking remains a priority, with calls for a holistic approach that includes prevention, rehabilitation, and community engagement.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has made significant strides in combating drug trafficking, destroying narcotics worth R5.2 billion over the past three years.

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola announced this milestone during a drug destruction event at the SAPS forensic lab in Cape Town on Friday, March 7, 2025.

“The total estimated street value of the 800kg of drugs that are being destroyed today is in excess of R340 million,” Masemola stated. This destruction is part of ongoing efforts to curb the drug trade, which has plagued communities across the country.

In the 2022/2023 financial year alone, SAPS confiscated and destroyed 20.8 tonnes of drugs, with 14.5 tonnes destroyed in 2023/2024 and 15.2 tonnes in the current financial year.

Masemola highlighted several recent successes in the fight against drug-related crimes. In the past six months, more than 20 drug traffickers were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport, one of the country’s key transit hubs for illegal narcotics. “In the past two weeks, three drug traffickers were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport, including two South Africans, with a combined R7.5 million worth of cocaine,” he said.

Recent drug busts and arrests

The police have also disrupted major drug operations in other parts of the country. On Wednesday, March 5, a shipment of cocaine worth R6 million, disguised as hair products, was intercepted at OR Tambo. The drugs, originating from Brazil, were en route to France via South Africa.

In another operation, the Hawks, SAPS’s elite investigative unit, seized R720,000 worth of ecstasy tablets at an East London bus depot. Additionally, dagga worth R450,000 was confiscated at the Golela land port in KwaZulu-Natal.

Sowetanlive reports that these busts underscore the widespread nature of drug trafficking in South Africa, which serves as both a destination and transit point for illegal narcotics.

Masemola also revealed that police had uncovered a drug manufacturing lab in Westonaria, Gauteng, on Thursday, March 6. The lab contained equipment valued at R10 million, and two suspects were arrested. “These operations demonstrate our commitment to dismantling drug networks and holding those responsible accountable,” he said.

The Broader Impact of Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking remains a significant challenge in South Africa, contributing to high levels of crime and social instability. The country’s strategic location and extensive transport networks make it a target for international drug syndicates.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), South Africa is a key transit point for cocaine, heroin, and synthetic drugs entering and leaving the African continent.

The destruction of drugs worth billions of rand is a testament to SAPS’s efforts, but experts warn that more needs to be done to address the root causes of drug abuse and trafficking.

“While law enforcement plays a critical role, we also need to focus on prevention, rehabilitation, and community education to tackle this issue holistically,” said Dr. Thabo Mokoena, a criminologist at the University of Pretoria.

Masemola echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between law enforcement, government agencies, and communities. “Today’s destruction is not just about removing drugs from circulation; it’s about safeguarding our communities and ensuring a safer future for all South Africans,” he said.