Johannesburg – A 64-year-old man was arrested and charged with dealing and possession of narcotics.
This came after the Hawk’s South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) intercepted a bakkie laden with oranges along the R555 highway towards Delmas and uncovered concealed narcotics.
Captain Lloyd Ramovha said the intelligence-driven operation, together with the K9 Unit, uncovered about 5kg of crystal meth valued at approximately R1.2 million.
The suspect, Vasco Matavel, was arrested and charged with dealing and possession of narcotics. Matavel appeared in the Springs Magistrate’s Court on a charge of in drugs yesterday (Wednesday) and has been remanded in custody.
According to the Hawks, the court postponed the case to Thursday, November 10, for a bail application and to confirm the status of the accused in the country.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated case, the Kempton Park Regional Court convicted and sentenced a foreign national couple, Santos Onweni Onwukaike (47) and Sandra Onwukaike (38), after they were found guilty of manufacturing drugs on Monday, October 17.
"On May 5, 2017, the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation opened an inquiry after receiving intelligence about a foreign national couple who were manufacturing drugs at a unit in Avalon Lifestyle Estate, Kempton Park.
“Analysis and surveillance were conducted, and a search and seizure operation took place on August 31, 2017. The couple were caught red-handed manufacturing drugs (CAT)," Ramovha said.
The couple made their first appearance on September 1, 2017, where they were both denied bail. They were remanded in custody until July 2018. After multiple court appearances, they were granted R15 000 bail each.
"The couple were sentenced on two counts. One for dealing in drugs and another for manufacturing them. The court sentenced them independently to eight years' imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on the condition that they are not found guilty of the same offence during the period of suspension.
“On count two, they received five years' imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on condition that they are not found guilty of the same offence," the Hawks added.
The Star