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Illicit drug trading in the Western Cape was dealt a heavy blow when police confiscated R3m worth of drugs on the N1 near Beaufort West on Tuesday.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Christopher Spies said members of the Central Karoo K9 Unit, Crime Intelligence, and the Rural Flying Squad were doing crime patrols along the highway at around 17:50 when they spotted a suspicious Opel Corsa bakkie.
When the vehicle was pulled over and searched, police noticed that the door panels had been tampered with.
According to Spies, 60 000 Mandrax tablets were found hidden in packets inside the door panels.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the drugs were destined for delivery in the Cape Metropole.
A 57-year-old suspect from Harrismith in the Free State will appear in the Beaufort West Magistrates Court on Thursday on charges of dealing in drugs.
Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile applauded the members for their vigilance and commitment to eradicate drug trafficking.
"It remains a priority for police to rid communities of drugs which threatens the safety of the most vulnerable in society, especially women and children.
"The confiscation of this consignment and the arrest forms part of concerted efforts of police to eradicate trafficking along highways, byways, and secondary roads.
"We have sharpened our deployment and it is already bearing fruit," said Patekile.
