PARKWEG: 13 March 2023 - The Bike Squad attached to Parkweg Police Station arrested the 37-year-old African male in possession of Mandrax tablets earlier today, Sunday 12 March 2023. The team was patrolling in Bloemfontein Central Business District when they came across the suspect in East Burger Street at about 06:30. The police stopped and searched the male and found in the backpack that he was carrying a transparent plastic bag containing thousand Mandrax tablets.
The team then requested the suspect's traveling document which he claimed that it was at his residential place. The suspect directed the squad to Tielmanroos Street in Olive Hill which is in Navalsig Police Station area.
The police then discovered a clandestine drugs laboratory at the backyard of a plot in Tielmanroos - Olive Hill. One (1) big Pill Press (Pill making machine), three (3) gas stoves, 14kg gas bottle, two (2) big pots, blenders and several Star etching tools were found in the makeshift laboratory. Unidentified powder, chrystalised drain cleaner and ten (10) litres of brown liquid believed to be drug producing and cutting agents were found and confiscated. Seventeen (17) packages containing Mandrax tablets and another open package containing five-hundred-and-seventy-four (574) tablets were also seized.
A case docket for Manufacturing of illegal drugs was opened at Navalsig Police Station. Another case for Possession of drugs with an additional charge of being an illegal immigrant was opened at Parkweg Police Station. The South African Police Service Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane commended the vigilance of the team that led to the discovery of the clandestine laboratory and seizure of drugs with an estimated street value of about R930 000.00. The General encouraged all the foot soldiers to take a leaf out of the good success and continue to work hard to remove drugs from the streets in this Province.
The suspect will appear in Bloemfontein Magistrate Court soon.