By Jonk wa Mashamba
Editor-in-Chief
news@alexreporter.co.za
R5 MILLION WORTH OF ILLEGAL DRUG MANUFACTURING LABORATORY DISMANTLED AND ACCUSED REMANDED IN CUSTODY
The Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court remanded three men charged for dealing in narcotics.
The trio’s apprehension emanated from a search and seizure operation conducted by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Germiston, Counter Narcotics, Crime Intelligence, Head Office and West Rand K9 on Tuesday, 08 March.
The investigation team kept surveillance at a positively identified premises where suspicions of drug activities were reported at Ardenworld in the Vanderbijlpark area.
According to Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu, a search and seizure operation was executed where the suspects were pounced on allegedly manufacturing mandrax powder on the premises.
The trio, Lawrence Tumela Mokeona (27), Delligs Sapoenda (23), and Zandiwe Banda (29) were immediately apprehended and charged with illegal dealing in drugs, Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act.
“Electronic gadgets, mandrax powder and drug manufacturing equipment with an estimated street value of R5 million were seized for further investigation.
“The court remanded the accused in custody pending investigation and the case is postponed to Wednesday, 16 March 2022 for Mokoena’s formal bail application,” Mulamu said.
