GEORGE NEWS - Five alleged drug smugglers where arrested by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime team during a multidisciplinary operation in Thembalethu earlier this week.
Four of them, Lindela Lofani (44), Hlalanathi Lofani (46), Mzimasi Lofani (41) and Bongani Kenny Mgqatse (51), appeared in the George Magistrate's Court on Tuesday 1 February after their arrest the day before.
The fifth suspect, Someleze Nkawule (32), was arrested in Gqeberha a day after his accomplices and made his first court appearance yesterday, Wednesday 2 February.
The cases will be combined and all five accused will again appear together on Friday. They face charges of dealing in illicit drugs and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
According to a spokesperson for the Hawks, Zinzi Hani, this follows a multidisciplinary operation executed on Monday 31 January by the Hawks team from George and Gqeberha, the George K9 unit, Public Order Police Unit (Pops) Southern Cape, and teams from the Oudtshoorn and Motherwell Crime Intelligence.
The arrests followed an extensive investigation by the team targeting a suspected organised crime group alleged to have been involved in securing cannabis from several cultivators based in the rural villages of the Eastern Cape.
Once the required quantity of cannabis was secured it would be moved to the Southern Cape.
"The team moved and swooped in on the suspects in the early hours of the morning after a warrant of arrest was obtained," said Hani.
Mzimasi Lofani
Hlalanathi Lofani
Lindela Lofani
Bongani Kenny Mqgatse
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