SOUTH African border authorities have intercepted a staggering 713 kg of methaqualone - a precursor chemical used in the manufacture of Mandrax - valued at nearly R1 billion, in a significant drug bust at Beitbridge Port.

South Africa's border police stopped a truck from Malawi that was driving into the country with drugs worth nearly one billion rand ($61 million), authorities said on Thursday.

South African authorities have intercepted a massive consignment of illicit drugs valued at nearly R1 billion at the Beitbridge border post, in what officials described as one of…