Alleged heroin smuggler abandons bail in Carolina District Court
The man had been caught near eManzana, allegedly transporting R75m worth of heroin in a truck.
The alleged drug trafficker, accused of transporting R75 million worth of heroin in a truck near eManzana, abandoned his bail application during his most recent appearance in the Carolina District Court.
Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, said Bonginkosi Cyril Gamedze (48) had appeared before the court on Thursday July 27 and was charged with the contravention of provisions of Section 5(a) of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992. The matter was postponed to September 21 for further investigation.
A tip-off from the White River K9 Unit led to his arrest on July 16. Hi-Tech Barberton had assisted the SAPS in stopping the truck, according to a post on its Facebook page, which showed the truck surrounded by police and Hi-Tech Barberton vehicles.
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According to a statement by the Hawks’ spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, the drugs were being transported from Mozambique and were destined for the international market. She said the White River K9 Unit had reported information to the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (Saneb) of the Hawks, regarding a truck possibly transporting drugs.
She said the Hawks’ Secunda Saneb, with the assistance of the Elukwatini Local Criminal Record Centre, the Elukwatini Fire Department and the SAPS Badplaas, were at the scene and escorted it back to the station.
Mogale said the fire department assisted with the opening of a concealed compartment in which 250 1kg bricks of heroin, with an estimated street value of R75m, were discovered.
