Midrand drug bust nets R1.5 million worth of methaqualone

The Hawks seized methaqualone and arrested three men at a plot in Midrand on Thursday, said police.

The methaqualone, which is used in the manufacture of Mandrax, was seized in a raid on a cottage by officers acting on a tip-off, said Captain Paul Ramoloko. It was worth about R1.5 million on the street, he said.

"Neighbours alerted police that they saw a truck off-loading crates of a suspicious substance on Wednesday night," said Ramoloko.

They arrested a 62-year-old man, his son, 34, and a helper, 33. They had been charged with manufacturing and dealing in drugs.

Ramoloko said it was believed the cottage was used to store the methaqualone before it was sent to drug manufacturing laboratories.

Investigations were continuing and it was likely more arrests would be made.