The Hawks’ Asset Forfeiture Investigation in conjunction with the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit has secured a preservation order which was issued by the Western Cape division of the High Court of South Africa in Cape Town on June 20 and received by the Hawks on July 23.
According to Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi, during 2018 an investigation was conducted and it was determined that the main suspect, who is now deceased, was sourcing drugs from suppliers located in Cape Town, George and Gqeberha.
He said, “In April 2018, information was received that a shipment of drugs (Mandrax) would be procured from Gqeberha and transported by taxi back to Oudtshoorn.”
Vukubi added that in the same month, information was received regarding a taxi en route to Oudtshoorn. When it was stopped and searched using the Oudtshoorn K9 Unit, 200 Mandrax tablets hidden in the side panel of the driver’s door and R57 490 in cash were found.
“Both the driver and occupant of the taxi were arrested.
“Further investigation revealed that the cash belonged to the deceased suspect and it was intended to fund the purchase of drugs,” he concluded.
