ACCUSED drug smuggler Xolile Skoti has been released on R25 000 bail after being arrested with cocaine worth an estimated street value of about R5.7 million.
The 39-year-old appeared in the Strand Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
He was arrested by the Hawks South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) together with Crime Intelligence Western Cape when they saw the bakkie travelling along the N2.
Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani said: “(Authorities) intercepted a bakkie that was en route to Cape Town from Gauteng carrying plastic bags loaded with cocaine worth over R5.7m. The bust was made at a fuel station along the N2 highway at about 6.30pm on Friday, 4 June.”
Police seized 19 bags of raw cocaine found hidden on the back panels of the bakkie wrapped in plastic bags. Officers also took possession of the vehicle.
Meanwhile, Kwanokuthula police in the Southern Cape arrested a 40-year-old suspect who had been found in possession of drugs at a residence in Kranshoek near Plettenberg Bay.
Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said the arrest was made following tip-offs as officers closed in on eradicating drug trafficking.
“Vigilant members attached to the Kwanokuthula Visible Policing Unit acted on information received from community members and obtained a search warrant to be executed at the residence of the suspect. (On Saturday) members pounced on the identified residence and, upon searching the premises, found 17 straws of Tik, three half Mandrax as well as 24 quarter Mandrax tablets in his possession.
“Subsequent to the find, the suspect was arrested ... During the preliminary investigation, it was determined that the suspect had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for a similar drug-related offence,” said Pojie.
The suspect was charged with possession of drugs and was expected to appear in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court yesterday.