Drugs found stashed in statues
IN WHAT has been hailed as one of the biggest recent drug busts in Gauteng, the Asset Forfeiture Unit yesterday seized R41 million worth of property belonging to members of a drug smuggling syndicate believed to be exporting Tik as far as Asia.
The unit attached a R7 million townhouse in Woodhill Estate in Pretoria East and another R4 million townhouse in the Eastern Rand's plush Clearwater Estate, as well as seven vehicles, believed to be bought with proceeds of drug peddling.
The seizure follows a swoop by the Hawks and Organised Crime Unit on a makeshift drug lab in a double-storey mansion in Waterkloof and nearby Monument Park on Sunday.
The combined street value of Tik found in both properties has now shot to R17 million following yesterday's discovery of more Tik stashed in more than 100 copper sculptures in the Monument Park residence of the two Nigerian men arrested on Sunday.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said a few of the sculptures broke open as police removed them from the cupboard and packets filled with the highly addictive drug tumbled out.
Dlamini said they were chasing three other suspects and more property may be attached. He said some of the seized vehicles were registered under one suspect's South African girlfriend.
"For now there are no charges brought against her but we have launched a high level investigation," he said.
Police also seized large quantities of ephedrine powder, a white crystalline alkaloid used for the treatment of asthma and hay fever which police say could have been used as one of the ingredients in Tik manufacturing.
The two suspects are expected to appear in the Pretoria magistrate's court today.
Hawks seize R41m worth of property in R17m drug bust
Drugs found stashed in statues
IN WHAT has been hailed as one of the biggest recent drug busts in Gauteng, the Asset Forfeiture Unit yesterday seized R41 million worth of property belonging to members of a drug smuggling syndicate believed to be exporting Tik as far as Asia.
The unit attached a R7 million townhouse in Woodhill Estate in Pretoria East and another R4 million townhouse in the Eastern Rand's plush Clearwater Estate, as well as seven vehicles, believed to be bought with proceeds of drug peddling.
The seizure follows a swoop by the Hawks and Organised Crime Unit on a makeshift drug lab in a double-storey mansion in Waterkloof and nearby Monument Park on Sunday.
The combined street value of Tik found in both properties has now shot to R17 million following yesterday's discovery of more Tik stashed in more than 100 copper sculptures in the Monument Park residence of the two Nigerian men arrested on Sunday.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said a few of the sculptures broke open as police removed them from the cupboard and packets filled with the highly addictive drug tumbled out.
Dlamini said they were chasing three other suspects and more property may be attached. He said some of the seized vehicles were registered under one suspect's South African girlfriend.
"For now there are no charges brought against her but we have launched a high level investigation," he said.
Police also seized large quantities of ephedrine powder, a white crystalline alkaloid used for the treatment of asthma and hay fever which police say could have been used as one of the ingredients in Tik manufacturing.
The two suspects are expected to appear in the Pretoria magistrate's court today.
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