BROWN powder on a Lottery ticket led a 32-year-old man to be arrested in Clairwood and sentenced to jail.
In May, during the search for banned substances in a crime prevention programme, Warrant Officer JJ Sonnekus entered a wooden shed in Houghton Road. He saw a man put a Lotto ticket on a cupboard, which had a brown powder on it.
He arrested the man on suspicion of the possession of heroin. While out on bail awaiting confirmation of the substance from the police forensic science laboratory, the man defaulted on his bail conditions and a warrant of arrest was issued.
Constable Magugu Mkhize tracked him down and the Chatsworth man was rearrested.
During his trial at Durban regional Court on Friday, 9 October he was found guilty of possession of heroin and given a 12-month jail sentence or fine of R3,000 and declared unfit to possess a firearm.
“The sentence imposed by the court is welcomed by the Brighton Beach SAPS management. Drug use, distribution and dependency in Clairwood remain problematic. W/O Sonnekus is commended on the arrest and Cst Mkhize is commended on the re-arrest and the conviction secured,” said communications officer, Captain Louise Le Roux.
- Call the Careline Crisis and Trauma Centre on 031-765 1587 or 031-765 1314,
- Alcoholics Anonymous on 031-304-1826,
- Lifeline Durban on 031-312-2323,
- SANCA on 031-303-2202 or 031-202-2421,
- Childline on 08000-55555,
- NICRO on 031-304-2761/4 or the
- Anti-Drug Forum on 031-403-1150 for help with drug-related problems.
