Three sentenced for transporting R403 million’s worth of cocaine

Three suspects were recently sentenced at a Khayelitsha Court after they were nabbed with over R403 million’s worth of cocaine in August 2022.

The Hawk’s Zinzi Hani said officers received a tipoff about a truck possibly transporting drugs on the N1 towards Cape Town, and was spotted at Winelands Engen garage towards Cape Town. The truck stopped at N1 City Mall, where two drivers got out and handed the truck to another person. 

‘’The two original drivers stayed behind at N1 City Mall while another driver drove off with the truck. The team followed the truck. Due to suspicious movement by the driver the team decided to stop the truck on Jan Smuts Drive in Pinelands,’’ said Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani, Hawks Western cape spokesperson.

Hani explained that officers found 672 blocks of cocaine that was concealed in false wooden boards in the back of the truck.

She added that two more suspects were arrested.

Two suspects - Meshack Mzugezi Ngobese and Elias Radebe - entered into a plea agreement by the State  and were sentenced to six and one years respectively.

Furthermore, another suspect, Ebrahim Karra, entered into a plea agreement by the State and pleaded guilty on dealing in drugs and admitted in his agreement that the cocaine was destined to be sold.

‘’Ebrahim Karra, was sentenced to fifteen (15) years imprisonment of which 7 years is suspended for a period of five (5) years, on condition that the accused is not convicted of the same offence during the period of his suspension. Kara, will effectively serve eight (8) years direct imprisonment,’’ said Hani.

PHOTO SUPPLIED - Hawks: Ebrahim Karra sentenced after admitting that cocaine was meant to be sold

The provincial Hawks spokesperson added that a confiscation order was granted where R2 million rand was paid into the Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA).

 

Done by: Mitchum George