Two Bloemfontein brothers nabbed with 8 000 mandrax tablets

Two Bloemfontein brothers nabbed with 8 000 mandrax tablets on Saturday. Photo: SAPS

Two Bloemfontein brothers nabbed with 8 000 mandrax tablets

Police said the two brothers from Bloemfontein had a whopping 8 000 mandrax tablets in their possession and were arrested on Saturday.

Two Bloemfontein brothers nabbed with 8 000 mandrax tablets

Two Bloemfontein brothers nabbed with 8 000 mandrax tablets on Saturday. Photo: SAPS

Two brothers from Bloemfontein had a whopping 8 000 mandrax tablets in their possession and were arrested on Saturday.

TWO BROTHERS GRANTED POLICE PERMISSION TO SEARCH THE HOUSE

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane said members of Bloemfontein Flying Squad and K9 received information from Crime Intelligence about drugs that were delivered at Peter Ewertse Street in Heidedal on Saturday.

Covane said the team arrived at the identified target house at about 09:20 to operationalise the intelligence at hand.

Two men were found inside the house, and the police asked for permission to search the house, which was granted.

“Members searched the bedroom in the presence of the two brothers and two carry bags were found hidden in the house. Eight sealed transparent plastic bags containing 1 000 mandrax tablets were found inside the carry bags.

“The two brothers aged 32 and 38 years were arrested for possession and dealing in drugs. The estimated street value of the drugs is R640 000.00, with one tablet selling at R80.00.”

Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane

THE BROTHERS WERE ARRESTED AND DETAINED IN POLICE CUSTODY

He furthermore said a case docket for possession and dealing in drugs was opened at Heidedal Police Station.

The two brothers are detained in police custody. They will appear in Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on Monday, 28 March 2022.

Acting Provincial Commissioner, Maj Gen Solly Lesia applauded the team for removing such a large number of drugs from our streets.

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WHAT IS MANDRAX AND HOW IS IT USED? 

Mandrax is a small tablet varying in colour that is highly addictive. Mandrax slows down the central Nervous System and has a sedative effect. Originally Mandrax pills were firm and white in colour, with Mx written on the side of the tablet. Currently, Mandrax can be freckled, crumbly, and may be grey, yellow, or white.

How is Mandrax used?

Mandrax is commonly smoked. The Mx tablet is crushed, mixed with dagga, and smoked through a pipe or broken bottleneck known as a ‘white pipe’. Mandrax can also be swallowed whole or injected.

Symptoms of Mandrax use:

  • Headaches 
  • Stomach pain
  • Weight loss 
  • Red puffy eyes
  • Clumsiness (decreased alertness) 
  • Decrease in concentration
  • Restlessness 
  • Increased sleep
  • Brown/Yellowish marks on hands 
  • Slurred speech
  • Poor co-ordination

What are the effects of Mandrax?

  • Relaxation – feeling happy (or laughing), calm and carefree
  • Confusion
  • Aggression – when the high wears off
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Falling over and passing out
  • Sleep

What are the long-term effects?

  • Risk of addiction – tolerance is built up rapidly
  • Decreased immune system
  • Convulsions
  • Mental and physical deterioration
  • Breathing becomes slower leading to respiratory failure, comas or death.