Suspect gets slap on the wrist for admitting to illegally owning cannabis lab in Constantia

A 25-year-old man was fined R100 000 after he pleaded guilty that he operated a cannabis laboratory in Constantia.

Joseph Hughes appeared in the Khayelitsha Priority Court on Wednesday, and was sentenced for being in possession of drugs according to the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act 140/1992.

The Hawks' Zinzi Hani said Hughes was arrested in December 2022 following a search and seizure operation by a multidisciplinary team, at his property in Constantia, after they received a tip-off about a suspect who was operating a cannabis hydroponic laboratory. Hani added that during the search, the team established that inside the premises, seven rooms were used for cultivation of cannabis.

"An assortment of several dagga plants were reportedly found in the premises. Six bags of dagga heads, six kilograms of dagga heads, 754 dagga trees, 10 kilograms of dried dagga stems with heads on and 315 rounds of ammunition were found. All-inclusive value of cannabis surpasses R1.5 million," said Zinzi Hani, Hawks Western Cape spokesperson.

Hani explained that Hughes has since been out on R50 000 bail following his series of court appearances until he pleaded guilty and he was sentenced on Wednesday.

"This comes after he entered into a plea agreement with the State."

"He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a term of five (5) years imprisonment or two hundred thousand rand (R200 000-00) fine, which is wholly suspended for a period of 5 years on condition that the accused is not convicted of the same offence, the value of the accused proceeds of unlawful activities and or related unlawful activities is more than R100 000," said Hani.

The spokesperson said a confiscation order was granted for an amount of R100 000 which was then deposited into the Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA).

 

Done By: Mitchum George