On 27 June 2022 Durban Regional Court sentenced two accused, Ryan McDermid (34) and Domonique Peres (35) for dealing and cultivation of cannabis plants.
In January 2018 members from Port Shepstone Serious Organised Crime Investigation working together with other law enforcement agencies conducted a search in the accused’s premises. During the search more than two thousand cannabis plants were confiscated in various premises around South Coast.
The premises were set up as an indoor type cannabis grow house and equipment used to cultivate and dry the plant material was confiscated. As a result the laboratories were successfully dismantled. Number of accused were identified and arrested in various places.
They were charged accordingly and were released on bail.
McDermid was sentenced to pay a fine of R50 000.00 or three years imprisonment. He was further sentenced to five years imprisonment of which is suspended for five years.
Peres was sentenced for dealing in cannabis. He was sentenced to pay a fine of R20 000.00 or two years imprisonment. The state has forfeited three farms and one motor vehicle to the value of R3 700 000.00.
