Two held in Madrax bust

2003-12-23 12:56

Johannesburg - Two men were arrested on Tuesday after a police swoop on premises in Bredell and Benoni found ingredients and machines for the illegal manufacture of the drug Mandrax, North Rand police said on Tuesday.

The police's serious and violent crimes unit, the organised crimes unit and the criminal intelligence unit had been working on the case for months, police spokesperson Superintendent Eugene Opperman said.

On Monday night a special task force from Pretoria penetrated the property in Bredell and found chemicals for the manufacture of the drug, Opperman said. Further investigation led police to premises in Cloverdene, Benoni, where they found machines for pressing the pills and at least R14m worth of chemicals and ingredients.

The two men were arrested and could appear in court on Wednesday, Opperman said, adding that more arrests were possible.

Mandrax was originally developed as a legal sedative and for the short term treatment of insomnia. However, it became popular as an addictive recreational drug for its euphoric qualities and was soon banned in many countries, creating a market for its illegal manufacture and trade.

- SAPA