R1.5 Million Drug Bust: Police Seize Dagga and Mandrax in Parys Truck Interception

FREE STATE — An R1.5 million drug bust has been executed by the Tracing and Narcotics Team following the interception of a truck loaded with dagga and Mandrax. The seizure occurred after authorities tracked the vehicle, which was allegedly moving illicit substances between Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Police spokespersons confirmed that the operation was the culmination of several weeks of monitoring and observations. The truck was initially suspected of transporting dagga and other narcotics from Cape Town to Alrode in Johannesburg. However, on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at approximately 12:00, intelligence indicated the vehicle was travelling in the opposite direction, towards Cape Town.

This intelligence was immediately operationalized. Officers deployed along the N1 South, where they spotted and halted the truck. After police officials identified themselves and explained the reason for the stop, the vehicle was escorted to the Parys SAPS to ensure a safe and secure search environment. Approximately 100 metres from the police station, the driver unexpectedly jumped from the moving truck and fled on foot.

Upon securing the vehicle at the station, a thorough search was conducted. Police spokespersons detailed the discovery of 452 bales of dagga, each weighing 1 kilogram, alongside seven 1-kilogram packs of Mandrax. The combined estimated street value of the confiscated narcotics is R1.5 million.

Following the driver’s abandonment of the vehicle, the truck’s owner was contacted and instructed to report to Parys SAPS. The owner confirmed ownership of the truck but denied any knowledge of, or association with, the illegal drugs found inside.

A formal police enquiry has been opened, and investigations are actively underway. The seized drugs have been confiscated, and the truck has been impounded pending further investigations and the eventual apprehension of the fugitive driver.

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