4 Alleged Drug Smugglers Appear in George Magistrate’s Court, 1 More Arrested by Hawks
- Four suspects appeared in the George Magistrate's Court yesterday on charges of drug dealing and smuggling
- They allegedly sourced and sold drugs between the Eastern Cape and Garden Route, where they were intercepted and arrested by the Hawks
- Since their court appearance, the Hawks have arrested a fifth suspect in connection with this case, who will appear in court with the other four on Friday
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GEORGE - Yesterday (1 February), four suspects appeared in the George Magistrate's Court on charges of drug smuggling and dealing. Later a fifth suspect was caught and arrested by the Hawks.
The suspects are Lindela Lofani, Bongani Kenny Mgqatse, Mzimasi Lofani, and Hlalanathi Lofani. They are aged between 41 and 51 and are being tried under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act of 1998, which they allegedly contravened.
In a press release sent to Briefly News by the Western Cape Hawks, the George-based Serious Organised Crime team from the Hawks conducted a multidisciplinary operation with assistance from Oudshoorn Crime Intelligence, Public Order Policing (POP) Southern Cape and the George K9 unit.
Source: UGC
How the Hawks caught and arrested the suspects
The Hawks' operation required them to search multiple properties, following an investigation into a group suspected of working in organised crime. They allegedly sourced cannabis from suppliers in rural Eastern Cape villages and moved it to the Southern Cape to be sold.
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The multidisciplinary team intercepted the suspects and arrested four of them on 31 January after securing a warrant. A fifth suspect, 32-year-old Someleze Nkwakule, was arrested after the other four appeared in court.
Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani told Briefly News that Nkwakule was initially set to appear in court today (2 February). Still, his case has been remanded until 4 February 2022, which is the same day that the other four suspects will next appear in court. This will allow them to be tried together.
Gauteng MEC sheds light on drug trend sweeping across SA schools, Mzansi calls for decisive action
Speaking of drugs, Briefly News previously reported that Gauteng MEC Faith Mazibuko discovered something very sinister when she paid a visit to Kitso Primary school in Evaton this week.
Mazibuko was visiting the school to take about safety issues and concerns, but an educator alerted her to a new substance issue among pupils. A teacher showed her a bottle filled with Allergex syrup used by the learners to get high while at school.
Mazibuko was shocked to learn of this new drug phenomenon doing the rounds and took to her Twitter profile to highlight the issue.
Source: Briefly News
