Large contraband haul seized in surprise Pollsmoor Prison raid

A variety of contraband was confiscated during a surprise raid at the Pollsmoor Correctional Facility in Cape Town.

The operation, led by Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale, took place on Saturday night.

Among the items seized were cellphones, mandrax tablets, tik sachets, dagga, and sharp objects.

Pollsmoor Prison has a long history of high-stakes raids, often prompted by overcrowding, gang activity, and the smuggling of contraband.

In November last year, a planned gang attack led to a prison lockdown, leaving both inmates and officials injured.

The operation focused on sections which are heavily controlled by gangs.

Authorities confiscated 121 tik sachets, 67 mandrax tablets, 65 cellphones, and 25 sharp weapons, among other items.

Similar contraband was also seized during a raid in July last year, which followed an assault on a prison warder.