Central SA
Hawks bust man with dagga worth R3 million─── 16:40 Mon, 11 Nov 2019
A man has been arrested in Brits, North West, for allegedly dealing in cannabis. It is alleged the 48-year-old suspect, Russell de Beer, owns a cannabis dispensary and sells franchises for cannabis dispensaries.
The Serious Organised Crime Unit of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation with members of Forensic Science Laboratory and Local Criminal Record Centre descended on a hydroponic dagga lab on Saturday.
The North West Hawks’ provincial spokesperson, Tlangelani Rikhotso, applauds the investigative work of the team and warns that dealing in dagga is still considered a criminal offence.
At least 500kg of cannabis, amounting to R3 million in street value, and apparatus for cannabis oil extraction and other cannabis products were seized.
The suspect appeared at the Brits Magistrate’s Court on Monday 11 November on charges of contravening the Medicine and Related Substances Act and dealing in cannabis.
The case was postponed to 15 November 2019 for a formal bail application and the suspect remains in custody.
OFM News/Marvin Ntsane
