Drugs worth a street value of R65 million seized at sea port

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Police have seized another consignment of drugs worth a street value of R65 million at a sea port in Gqeberha on a vessel that had entered the country from Brazil. 

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the vessel was intercepted as it was docking on Thursday and found 35 blocks of cocaine that were compressed in blocks. 

“No arrests have been made thus far and police are investigating a case of trafficking of drugs. 

This is the police’s third ‘massive’ drug bust in a space of three weeks. The other two drug busts were in KwaZulu-Natal where police seized cocaine worth R150 million,” she said. 

The national police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola commended the team for the latest bust and police across the country for clamping down on all forms of criminality. 

“Intelligence is at work, our members are on the ground throughout the country, clamping down on all forms of criminality.

“Day in day out we continue to confiscate large quantities of these drugs, SA is not a playground for criminals”, said Gen Masemola.

Meanwhile, a 47-year-old suspect was sentenced and convicted to 25 years’ direct imprisonment for rape of a 13-year-old minor in Kroonstad, Free State.

Provincial police spokesperson Josephine Rani said on Monday, April 3, 2017, the victim was on her way to town on foot, whilst walking, she passed through the bushes where she met an unknown male.

“The accused, Thabo Mofokeng then forcefully pushed her further into the bushes and raped her.

“She later opened a case of rape, and detective warrant officer Elizabeth Mounton conducted an investigation which led to the arrest of the suspect on Friday, April 7, 2023.

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“On Friday, April 14 2017, Thabo was released on a R1000 bail. The suspect then never made his court appearance until a warrant of arrest was granted,” she stated.

Rani added that the Free State provincial tracing team working together with the investigating officer managed to locate the suspect at Virginia correctional institution serving time for theft.

“Thabo, then attended the rape trial and was sentenced by the Kroonstad regional court to 25 years’ direct imprisonment for rape on Tuesday, October 24, 2023,” she concluded.