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R1.2bn mandrax haul destroyed
21/07/2005 13:55 - (SA)
Johannesburg - The largest consignment of Mandrax powder ever seized worldwide was destroyed outside Johannesburg on Thursday, the national prosecuting authority (NPA) said.
"Today we are destroying 45 tons of what kills our children, of what kills society," said National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli, who oversaw the destruction with former addict, musician Tsepo Tshola -- the "village pope" - at Holfontein.
Pikoli said he had been told the seizure amounted to only one-fifth of the South African market. "That's very serious."
The R1.2bn's worth of methaqualone packed in blue garbage bags and white drums was placed in a five metre deep trench at a landfill site guarded by armed, uniformed members of the Scorpions wearing gas masks.
It was chemically neutralised with waste liquids and sodium hydroxide.
The NPA said the Mandrax powder was seized in two busts at the Durban harbour last year.
While both consignments were being sent to fictitious addresses in Mozambique and Namibia, investigators believed the shipments were headed for South Africa, which is reputed to have the largest Mandrax market in the world.
Scorpions spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi said the estimated street value of R1.2bn was based on the estimated price per Mandrax tablet of R30.
He said in some areas Mandrax tablets cost up to between R50 and R60 which meant the street value of the consignment could be as much as R2bn or more.
- SAPA
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