Alleged drug peddlers to appear in court

KWAZULU-NATAL – Makhosi Mhlungu (31), briefly appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday facing charges of possession and dealing in drugs. Mhlungu was arrested by the Hawks’ Pietermaritzburg Serious Organised Crime members on Monday.

Mhlungu was found in possession of 2000 Mandrax tablets, 53 heroine capsules and 1kg of powder substance to the street value of approximately R270 000-00. She was granted R1000-00 bail and the case was postponed to 03 December 2019.

In separate incidents, Keegan Pillay (32), appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrates’ Court on Monday following his arrest by the Hawks’ Durban Serious Organised Crime working together with Crime Intelligence, Metro Police Drug Task Team and Shongweni K9 unit over the past weekend.

Members received information about a suspect who was dealing in drugs at Bayview area in Chatsworth on Saturday. A sting operation was conducted and Pillay was allegedly spotted doing a transaction at Unit 2, Bayview.

Pillay was apprehended and upon searching him, the team seized 1974 heroin capsules with a street value of approximately R39 480-00. He has since been granted R10 000 bail on charges possession and dealings in drugs. His case was adjourned to 04 November 2019, pending further investigations.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, 29 September 2019, the Durban Serious Organised Crime members arrested Raphael Onyishi (38) in Bellair area, Durban after receiving information that he was manufacturing cocaine. The suspect was caught red-handed manufacturing cocaine at his residential premises. Members confiscated 25 blocks of cocaine and three bags of cocaine powder to the street value of approximately R90 000-00. He appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday and he was granted R10 000-00 bail. The case was postponed to 03 December 2019.