A Rwandan national’s drug empire collapsed when Cape Town police seized R1 million worth of mandrax tablets during an October 2024 raid. The Anti-Economic Crime Task Team’s intelligence-led operation also intercepted methamphetamine valued at R50,000 from a truck traveling between Johannesburg and Cape Town. A second raid in Wynberg in March 2025 yielded more drugs, including tik and cocaine. The arrests represent a major blow to cross-border trafficking networks operating in the Western Cape.
Police swooped in on a major drug operation in Cape Town, dismantling what authorities describe as a cross-border trafficking network. In the early hours of October 29, 2024, officers arrested a 42-year-old foreign national, believed to be Rwandan, at a residence in Parow where they uncovered mandrax tablets worth approximately R1 million.
Cape Town’s cross-border drug network dismantled as police arrest Rwandan national with R1 million in mandrax tablets.
The high-value seizure came after intelligence-driven operations by the Anti-Economic Crime Task Team and the Provincial Counterfeit and Illicit Policing Team. Officers acted on tips about suspected drug activity in the area, leading to the successful raid. The Anti-Economical and Extortion Task Team conducted this operation as part of their mandate to combat drug trafficking in the province.
The operation didn’t end with the Parow bust. In a separate incident, law enforcement intercepted methamphetamine (commonly known as tik) valued at R50,000 near the N1 Toll Plaza in Paarl. The drugs were concealed inside a truck traveling between Johannesburg and Cape Town, revealing the network’s transport methods.
Months later, on March 20, 2025, police conducted another early morning raid at 5am in Wynberg. A 43-year-old foreign national was arrested with a substantial drug cache including 365 mandrax tablets, 130 grams of tik, 20 grams of cocaine, 100 ecstasy tablets, and crushed mandrax. This second arrest further exposed the extent of the trafficking operation. The raid at Grand Central Flats specifically targeted illegal substances and drug dealing activities.
“These criminals have been zigzagging between Johannesburg and Cape Town, using delivery vehicles to transport their illegal merchandise,” said a police spokesperson. “Our teams have been tracking their movements for months.”
The investigation revealed sophisticated concealment methods, with drugs hidden inside vehicles during transport and stored in residential properties. The combined value of all seizures exceeds R1.05 million according to government and local estimations.
The diversity of drugs seized—mandrax, tik, cocaine, and ecstasy—indicates the network was catering to various markets across Cape Town. The large quantity of mandrax found in both raids suggests it was their primary product, while the cocaine points to connections with higher-value clientele.
Both suspects made their initial court appearances at various magistrate’s courts including Parow, Paarl, and Wynberg. They face multiple charges for possession and dealing in drugs, which typically carry sentences of 5-15 years depending on quantity.
Law enforcement officials believe these arrests have considerably disrupted drug distribution in the Western Cape. The involvement of foreign nationals raised questions about cross-border connections and how international drug syndicates might be establishing footholds in South African cities.
Police continue to investigate potential links to other operations as part of their ongoing effort to combat drug trafficking. “This is a significant victory,” the police spokesperson added. “We’re committed to dismantling these networks completely.”
Conclusion
This case highlights the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in Cape Town. Authorities remain vigilant in dismantling criminal networks that threaten community safety. With the foreign national facing serious charges and the R1 million drug operation shut down, police consider this a significant victory. However, they acknowledge that continued cooperation between law enforcement and the public is essential to combat similar operations.
