Alleged drug lord Ronny Johnny Smith has been stripped of his multimillion-rand "empire" by a final order granted in the Durban high court which seized assets - said to be the proceeds of crime - worth R7-million.
This week, justice dealt a double-blow to Smith when he was convicted in Pretoria of corruption and ordered to pay a R300 000 fine or spend six years in jail.
"We have basically taken everything we could get our hands on in this country," said asset forfeiture unit head Willie Hofmeyr on Wednesday.
"But we believe he still has assets and money in Swaziland, which is very difficult for us to get hold of."
The unit first raided Smith's luxury home on the Bluff, Durban, in October 1999, after investigations led the police to believe he was probably a drug supplier.
The police allege that his Swaziland businesses are used as fronts to launder money from his trade in illegal drugs.
However, Smith has never been convicted of drug-related charges.
He pleaded guilty in Pretoria to a charge of corruption in that he paid R186 000 to a state prosecutor to have drug charges withdrawn.
He paid the R300 000 fine and was released from custody, where he had been since his arrest a year ago. It is now believed that he intends leaving South Africa as soon as possible.
National director of public prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka, confirmed on Wednesday that the final asset forfeiture application against Smith had been granted in the Durban high court. Smith had not opposed the application.
"This is the culmination of a five-year investigation into Smith and his alleged criminal activities in Durban and beyond," he said.
Included in the final forfeiture order granted was Smith's luxury Bluff home, a flat at 101 Victoria Embankment, nine vehicles and an imported camper valued at more than R700 000.
Curator Trevor White, of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, said that the vehicles were the most valuable items because they were all "top-of-the-range with low mileage".
They include a BMW 328i Cabriolet, a Mercedes-Benz S500, a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Mitsubishi Pajero 4x4 V8.
Cash included almost R315 000 seized during the initial raid, R50 000 deposited in trust at Wakefields, the R186 000 bribe money, R700 000 in an attorney's trust account and about R1,3-million in 15 bank accounts.
Two properties, owned by Platinum Mile Investments 14, had also been seized as had about 60 household items.
White said all the goods would be sold at a public auction to be held early in the new year.
The money would be paid into the criminal asset recovery account and would be used for law enforcement purposes.