A Durban drug mule, who smuggled more than R10 million worth of heroin into the country from India, was given a 20-year sentence this week.
Zanele Rahim, 32, was convicted in the Verulam Regional Court of being in possession of drugs.
In May last year, Rahim’s luggage was searched at King Shaka International Airport and she was found in possession of 1.635kg of heroin.
During the trial it emerged that Rahim had returned from a trip to India. During a routine luggage search at the airport, a secret compartment was found in one of her suitcases. Customs officials found the heroin concealed in plastic packets.
She was detained and remained in custody throughout the trial.
In aggravation of sentence, Section Commander of the KZN Organised Crime – Drug Unit, Col Amod Hoosen, told the court heroin was one of the most addictive drugs, and one that has a social and economic impact because young people are easily drawn to its effects.
He also gave the court a total break-down of the value of drugs seized countrywide in the last year.
In KwaZulu-Natal more than R330 million worth of drugs was seized between October 2010 and July this year. - Daily News