The South African Police Service (SAPS) has reaffirmed its commitment to combating drug-related crimes through targeted enforcement operations and forensic interventions. Speaking at the Drug Destruction event at the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory in Cape Town on 07 March 2025, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola highlighted the role SAPS plays in combating and dismantling illicit narcotic operations.
“The total estimated street value of the 800 kilograms of drugs being destroyed today exceeds R340 million,” said Masemola. “This marks our second visit to this plant in the last 12 months. A year ago, we destroyed R550 million worth of drugs at this very site.”
Masemola noted over the previous three years, SAPS has destroyed various types of narcotics worth R5.2 billion. “This includes drugs confiscated nationally during the 2022/2023 financial year, amounting to approximately 20.8 tons,” said the Commissioner. “In 2023/2024, we destroyed approximately 14.5 tons, and so far in 2024/2025, we have already destroyed 15.2 tons, excluding today’s destruction.”
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