Western Cape police have seized more than 20,000 mandrax tablets during two separate operations on the Cape Flats.
The busts took place in Khayelitsha and Strandfontein and led to the arrests of a 57-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man.
Police also recovered crystal meth and an undisclosed amount of cash during the operations.
Drugs worth R1.5m seized in Khayelitsha
Police carried out an intelligence-driven operation at a home in Raymond Mhlaba Crescent, Mandela Park, Khayelitsha, at about 3:30 am on Monday.
Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said officers found a 57-year-old woman at the property.
During the search, police recovered 7,777 mandrax tablets and 1.6kg of crystal meth.
The drugs were valued at about R1.5 million.
The woman was arrested for dealing in drugs and is expected to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court once she has been charged.
Thousands more tablets found in Strandfontein
In a separate operation on Sunday, the Western Cape Tactical Response Team arrested a 45-year-old man in Bayview, Strandfontein.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said officers searched premises in Nautical Close during another intelligence-driven operation.
Police found 11 bags containing 1,000 mandrax tablets each, 18 bags containing 100 tablets each and another bag containing 80 tablets.
An undisclosed amount of cash was also recovered.
The value of the drugs had not yet been determined.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court once charged.
CPF welcomes police operation
The Strandfontein Community Police Forum welcomed the seizure.
CPF spokesperson Sandy Schuter said substance abuse remained a major challenge in the area and contributed to crime while damaging families and communities.
The forum urged residents to report suspected drug dens and other suspicious activity to authorities.
Schuter said community involvement was important in helping police disrupt illegal drug operations.
The two busts form part of ongoing police efforts to target the illegal drug trade across Cape Flats communities.