The South African Police(SAPS) confiscated mandrax with an estimated street value of R700 000 and arrested five suspects in Athlone,Western Cape province on Wednesday.

Captain Frederick C. van Wyk said on 02 July 2025 at about 13:20,members attached to Maitland Flying Squad followed up on information received about possible drug dealings at a fast food establishment in Belgravia,Athlone.

Captain van Wyk mentioned that police rushed to the location that was mentioned and found three vehicles in parking area, and were searched and thousands of mandrax tablets and culprits were arrested.

"Upon their arrival at the mentioned address,they found three vehicles,including a white Mercedes Benz,a white Renault,and a white Hyundai in the parking area.The members observed the occupants and noticed that the one suspect took a black bag out of the one vehicle,putting it into his vehicle.They immediately approached the vehicles,and two of the suspects attempted to walk away but were apprehended.The members searched all the vehicles and found in the one vehicle 3000 mandrax tablets and,in the other,an undisclosed amount of cash believed to be the proceeds of crime.

Further information was followed up,which led the members to a premises in Crawford.They searched the premises and found a further 13 000 mandrax tablets,an undisclosed amount of schedule 1 medicine,"he said.

According to Captain van Wyk,five suspects,a 58-year-old female and four males aged between 48 and 60,were arrested and charged for the possession and dealings in drugs.The drugs and three vehicles were handed in as exhibits at Athlone SAPS.Their cellular telephones were taken in for processing and further investigation.

The suspects are due to appear in the Athlone Magistrate's Court soon on the mentioned charges, concluded Captain van Wyk.