{"id":24502,"date":"2025-08-22T10:40:36","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T08:40:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=24502"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:59:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:59:21","slug":"r400-million-drugs-destroyed-by-saps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/r400-million-drugs-destroyed-by-saps\/","title":{"rendered":"R400 Million in Drugs Destroyed by SAPS \u2013 Here\u2019s How It\u2019s Done"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#overview-of-saps-drug-destruction-efforts\" data-level=\"2\">Overview of SAPS\u2019 Drug Destruction Efforts<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#why-destroying-drugs-is-important\" data-level=\"2\">Why Destroying Drugs is Important<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#types-of-drugs-destroyed\" data-level=\"2\">Types of Drugs Destroyed<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#the-confiscation-process\" data-level=\"2\">The Confiscation Process<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#forensic-verification-and-auditing\" data-level=\"2\">Forensic Verification and Auditing<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#the-destruction-process-explained\" data-level=\"2\">The Destruction Process Explained<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#environmental-and-safety-measures\" data-level=\"2\">Environmental and Safety Measures<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#impact-of-the-recent-destruction\" data-level=\"2\">Impact of the Recent Destruction<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#collaborative-efforts-in-fighting-drug-crime\" data-level=\"2\">Collaborative Efforts in Fighting Drug Crime<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#how-saps-continues-to-combat-drug-trafficking\" data-level=\"2\">How SAPS Continues to Combat Drug Trafficking<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"overview-of-saps-drug-destruction-efforts\">Overview of SAPS\u2019 Drug Destruction Efforts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p>The South African Police Service (SAPS) recently destroyed drugs worth more than <strong>R400 million<\/strong> in a highly controlled operation. This event, led by the National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, took place in Olifantsfontein, Pretoria. The destruction process is a critical part of the country\u2019s fight against drug-related crimes, removing harmful substances from communities and preventing their circulation on the streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ALSO READ:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/pretoria-north-tyre-factory-fire\/\">Fire Danger Soars in Pretoria North as Tyre Factory Burns, Warning Issued<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-452125368\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-destroying-drugs-is-important\">Why Destroying Drugs is Important<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Destroying R400 Million worth of seized drugs ensures they cannot be reused, sold, or cause further harm. It sends a strong message to criminal networks that South Africa is serious about ending drug trafficking. This act also protects public health by safely disposing of dangerous substances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/sapsHQ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#sapsHQ<\/a> [MEDIA INVITATION] The National Commissioner of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SAPS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#SAPS<\/a>, General Fannie Masemola will lead a <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/DrugsDestruction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#DrugsDestruction<\/a> process in which more than R400 MIL worth of drugs will be destroyed. <br><br>The drug destruction will take place in Gauteng. <br><br>This will be followed by a media\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/I7sbATLJLq\">pic.twitter.com\/I7sbATLJLq<\/a><\/p>&mdash; SA Police Service \ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6 (@SAPoliceService) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SAPoliceService\/status\/1958100424453447837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">August 20, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SAPoliceService\/status\/1958100424453447837\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">X\/Twitter<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"types-of-drugs-destroyed\">Types of Drugs Destroyed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The drugs destroyed span various kinds of narcotics, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Methaqualone (commonly known as Mandrax)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Methamphetamine (called Tik)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cocaine<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ecstasy and other synthetic drugs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These substances were seized during various policing operations across the country and then brought to a central location for destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1599569207\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-confiscation-process\">The Confiscation Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before destruction, drugs are confiscated through targeted law enforcement actions. SAPS conducts intelligence-driven operations to dismantle drug manufacturing labs, seize illegal shipments at ports, and arrest drug traffickers at major airports and road checkpoints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each seizure undergoes forensic analysis to confirm its type and quantity, ensuring proper legal handling. Police carefully document and audit the exhibits to maintain a chain of custody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"SAPS to destroy R400m worth of drugs on Thursday\" width=\"755\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZONDR2EDXRM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/ZONDR2EDXRM?si=etNC26g71a7ITrBb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">YouTube<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"forensic-verification-and-auditing\">Forensic Verification and Auditing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>SAPS\u2019 Forensic Science Laboratory plays a vital role. Here, chemists analyse the seized drugs to produce detailed reports. These reports identify:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The exact type of drug<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The quantity in kilograms or units<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its legal classification under South African law<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These findings support prosecution efforts and are necessary before destruction can occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2134489669\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-destruction-process-explained\">The Destruction Process Explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The destruction typically takes place in specially designated plants equipped to handle hazardous materials safely. The main method used is <strong>incineration<\/strong>, where drugs are burnt at high temperatures to completely neutralise their chemical properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before destruction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All drug batches are cross-checked against official records.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A secondary audit ensures full compliance with policies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The process meets strict safety and environmental regulations, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Environmental Management Act.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This thorough approach prevents accidental exposure or environmental contamination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"environmental-and-safety-measures\">Environmental and Safety Measures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Given the toxicity of many narcotics, SAPS collaborates with environmental and health agencies to ensure safe disposal. The incineration facilities use controlled combustion technology that minimises harmful emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Health and safety protocols protect the workers and community by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Using protective equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Controlling smoke and waste by-products<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monitoring air quality during and after destruction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These precautions ensure that drug destruction does not pose additional risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/sapsHQ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#sapsHQ<\/a> [DRUGS DESTRUCTION] \ud83d\udcf8In photos: The National Commissioner of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SAPS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#SAPS<\/a>, General Fannie Masemola today lead a <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/DrugsDestruction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#DrugsDestruction<\/a> process at an undisclosed location where more than R400 MIL worth of drugs were destroyed. ME <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/aSomlfF26o\">https:\/\/t.co\/aSomlfF26o<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/2heBeyMLm0\">pic.twitter.com\/2heBeyMLm0<\/a><\/p>&mdash; SA Police Service \ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6 (@SAPoliceService) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SAPoliceService\/status\/1958481692261277975?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">August 21, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SAPoliceService\/status\/1958481692261277975\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">X\/Twitter<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2406507091\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"impact-of-the-recent-destruction\">Impact of the Recent Destruction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The recent destruction handled <strong>approximately 800 kilograms<\/strong> of drugs, including a significant seizure of <strong>513 kilograms of pure cocaine valued at R220 million<\/strong>. This case was part of an international effort involving arrests in Brazil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the past three years, SAPS has destroyed drugs worth billions of rands, making a major dent in the availability of illegal substances in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"collaborative-efforts-in-fighting-drug-crime\">Collaborative Efforts in Fighting Drug Crime<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The drug destruction process is a culmination of many collaborative efforts. SAPS works closely with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>National and international law enforcement agencies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Forensic scientists<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Environmental and health departments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Community members who provide intelligence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These partnerships are crucial for dismantling criminal syndicates and ensuring that drugs never reach consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-762648659\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-saps-continues-to-combat-drug-trafficking\">How SAPS Continues to Combat Drug Trafficking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The destruction of drugs (worth R400 Million) is just one part of SAPS\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizen.co.za\/news\/watch-what-happens-to-all-your-confiscated-drugs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">multi-faceted strategy<\/a>. Besides seizing and destroying narcotics, SAPS conducts continuous intelligence-driven operations. These include intercepting arms caches, busting drug manufacturing labs, and arresting traffickers at critical points like OR Tambo International Airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The goal is to disrupt all levels of drug distribution networks and reduce the availability of illicit drugs nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Destruction of drugs in Gauteng: Jason Eligh\" width=\"755\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5fHHGiL1DSI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/5fHHGiL1DSI?si=3NEvJmOBGBm92_ZA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">YouTube<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how SAPS successfully destroys over R400 million worth of drugs through scientific, safe, and environmentally compliant processes in the fight against drug crime.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":24510,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Learn how SAPS successfully destroys over R400 million worth of drugs through scientific, safe, and environmentally compliant processes in the fight against drug crime.","footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[522,500,8432,8434,4683,5800],"class_list":{"0":"post-24502","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"tag-community-safety","9":"tag-crime-prevention","10":"tag-drug-trafficking-south-africa","11":"tag-illegal-drugs-crackdown","12":"tag-law-enforcement","13":"tag-south-african-police-service-saps"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24502","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24502"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24502\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24515,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24502\/revisions\/24515"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24502"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24502"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24502"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}