Tebogo Msimanga
An alleged dagga kingpin, together with two suspects aged between 24 and 29 will appear before Mmabatho Magistrate court on Tuesday. They are facing charges of dealing in dagga and money laundering. The three were arrested on Monday at Mahikeng in North West. One of the suspects is an employee of the South African National Defence Force.
It is alleged that the trio illegally smuggles dagga from Swaziland and supplies it to the market in Mahikeng and surrounding towns.
Following months of surveillance, evidence gathered by Hawks’, assisted by members of K9, Border Policing Unit and the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), suggests that the suspects are allegedly also involved in money laundering activities involving fixed and movable property.
In February this year, the main suspect was arrested in possession of dagga worth approximately R600 000 where he was charged with dealing in dagga and has now been allegedly linked to money laundering activities. Two BMW’s, two Mercedes Benz, a Corsa and a VW Polo belonging to the suspects were subsequently seized as they are believed to be proceeds of crime.
Bags of dagga that were found during the search were also seized.
