Man sentenced after massive steroids bust in Potchefstroom

Ettienne van Deventer (32) has been sentenced in the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court after being convicted of multiple charges under the Medicine and Related Substances Control Act 101 of 1965. The court imposed a R30 000 fine or five years’ imprisonment, with R15 000 or two years suspended for each count, amounting to a potential three-year prison term.

Van Deventer’s sentencing follows a thorough investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, which uncovered substantial illegal activity. Acting on credible intelligence, authorities conducted a search at a Potchefstroom shop where Van Deventer was found selling controlled substances.

The search resulted in the seizure of 79 boxes of Ivermectin, 10 000 anabolic steroid tablets, and 376 steroid doses, with a street value estimated at R200 000.

The court’s ruling was delivered after a series of appearances by Van Deventer. For both counts of contravening the Medicine and Related Substances Control Act and the illegal sale of scheduled substances, the court imposed the following sentences:

• Count 1: A fine of R30 000 or five years’ imprisonment, with R15 000 or two years suspended for five years. The suspension is contingent on Van Deventer not being convicted of similar offences under Section 22A(5) and Regulation 6 of the Medicine and Related Substances Control Act during the suspension period.
• Count 2: Similarly, a fine of R30 000 or five years’ imprisonment, with R15 000 or two years suspended for five years under the same conditions as Count 1.

The sentences for both counts will run concurrently, effectively imposing a fine of R15 000 or three years imprisonment on Van Deventer.