The Hawks’ have arrested and charged nine suspects as part of an operation targeting a drug trafficking syndicate in the Northern Cape on Thursday evening 14 March 2019, and early hours of Friday.
The Hawks’ South African Narcotics Bureau unit (SANEB), whose mandate is to address the illicit drug trade in the country had been thoroughly following the group’s illegal activities in Groblershoop, Prieska and Kimberley for months culminating in this significant success.
The investigation team gained insight into the groups’ alleged illegal trade following a host of complaints from the communities in the affected areas. The team managed to infiltrate the syndicate resulting in approximately twenty transactions being recorded.
An assortment of narcotics which included Mandrax, Tik, and Cat valued at over R 600 000-00 were purchased from the syndicate.
Kennedy Obinna Ebite (29), Joseph Chivedu Igwe (26), Christoffel Katz (41), Chantelle Katz (37) Desmond Wayisa (30), Onyisi Onyejiuwa (39), Godfrey September (28), William Fredrick Macdonald (38), and Joseph Botha (20), were arrested after seven houses were searched and a series of paraphernalia consistent with the distribution and use of narcotics was found.
The group has appeared at various courts in Northern Cape facing charges of dealing in drugs in contravention of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act
Wayisa, Macdonald and Botha appeared at the Prieska court and the case was rolled over to Monday. The rest of the group are expected back in Groblershoop and Kimberly courts on the 20th of March for legal representation.
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