Man sentenced following massive steroids bust

Etienne Van Deventer (32) has been sentenced in the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court for violating the Medicine and Related Substances Control Act, following his conviction on multiple charges. The court imposed a R30,000 fine or five years imprisonment, with R15,000 or two years suspended for each count, totaling a potential three-year prison term.

Van Deventer’s sentencing stems from 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 to be selling controlled substances. The search yielded a significant haul: 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 following Van Deventer’s series of court appearances. For both counts of contravening the Medicine and Related Substances Act and 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 offenses 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.