Two Britons face at least 15 years in jail after being convicted of dealing in 8.1 tons of dagga (cannabis) and 150kg of cocaine yesterday.
Two Britons face at least 15 years in jail after being convicted of dealing in 8.1 tons of dagga (cannabis) and 150kg of cocaine yesterday.
Regional magistrate Fred Heuer, sitting in Camperdown between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, said that he would give reasons for his decision to convict and pass sentence on December 21.
He ordered that John Tutton, 56, and Tony McKinnon, 35, remain in custody.
On December 2, Heuer acquitted them of dealing in cocaine and dagga from their warehouse in Pinetown, but yesterday he convicted the duo of dealing in 8.1 tons of compressed cannabis. This was seized by British authorities in Felixstowe harbour, England, and 150kg of cocaine which they were preparing to export to Britain.
Heuer acquitted their co-accused Ernie Smith, 59, of Umhlanga of the charges.
Tutton and McKinnon were arrested at their Stanger warehouse where 150 parcels of cocaine were hidden in two of 12 crates of mirrors that were to be sent to Britain.
Two secret compartments were built inside the crates after cutting the mirrors to form compartments. On October 4 last year the two supervised the loading of the crates into a container.
Later on the same day they were arrested by South African police at the warehouse. - Sapa
Britons face 15 years for cocaine, dagga dealing
Two Britons face at least 15 years in jail after being convicted of dealing in 8.1 tons of dagga (cannabis) and 150kg of cocaine yesterday.
Two Britons face at least 15 years in jail after being convicted of dealing in 8.1 tons of dagga (cannabis) and 150kg of cocaine yesterday.
Regional magistrate Fred Heuer, sitting in Camperdown between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, said that he would give reasons for his decision to convict and pass sentence on December 21.
He ordered that John Tutton, 56, and Tony McKinnon, 35, remain in custody.
On December 2, Heuer acquitted them of dealing in cocaine and dagga from their warehouse in Pinetown, but yesterday he convicted the duo of dealing in 8.1 tons of compressed cannabis. This was seized by British authorities in Felixstowe harbour, England, and 150kg of cocaine which they were preparing to export to Britain.
Heuer acquitted their co-accused Ernie Smith, 59, of Umhlanga of the charges.
Tutton and McKinnon were arrested at their Stanger warehouse where 150 parcels of cocaine were hidden in two of 12 crates of mirrors that were to be sent to Britain.
Two secret compartments were built inside the crates after cutting the mirrors to form compartments. On October 4 last year the two supervised the loading of the crates into a container.
Later on the same day they were arrested by South African police at the warehouse. - Sapa
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