Court gives 9 accused in Meyersdal drug lab case bail
The court granted bail to the nine accused in the Meyersdal multimillion-rand drug lab when they reappeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on June 28.
The nine accused in the Meyersdal multimillion-rand drug lab arrested early last month reappeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on June 28 for their bail hearing.
The accused face charges of dealing drugs and violating the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act.
The arrests came after the police discovered a clandestine drug laboratory worth millions in a Meyersdal house on June 7.
Johannesburg K9 members received information on May 28 about the suspected drug lab. Members observed the premises the following day, and once satisfied with illegal activity happening in those premises, they acted.
According to Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili, Johannesburg K9 and National Counter Narcotics executed a search warrant at the premises.
“The police found massive quantities of precursor chemicals for manufacturing drugs, drug manufacturing equipment and actual drugs. The team withdrew from the house and called in Forensic Crime Scene Management, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority,” she explained.
The accused were arrested upon being found at the premises.
The accused in the matter are Francois Marais (31), Victor van Schalkwyk (19), Charl Andre Redelinghys (26), Thomas John (39), Sibusiso Masemola (38), Billy Mokoreka (25), Madellene Cheza (36), Jason van den Heever (21), and Albertus Markus Marais (25).
During their recent appearance, they were granted bail on condition the State found no grounds for opposing bail. The court also imposed certain conditions on their release.
There are also still outstanding documents to be submitted before the court as their matter continues.
The court granted Francois Marais and Markus Marais R5 000 bail and Van den Heever and Redelinghys R2 000. The rest of the accused were granted R500 bail.
They will return to the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on September 4 after the court postponed their matter for further investigation.
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