The Bellville branch of the Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (Saneb) arrested a second suspect on Wednesday (8 October) in connection with a major cannabis seizure in Strand last year.
The 29-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the Strand Magistrates’ Court on Friday (10 October).
The arrest follows the execution of a warrant issued after his co-accused was apprehended on 23 October last year.
DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette previously reported on the original incident when a multidisciplinary team comprising Hawks’ Saneb, Crime Intelligence Counter Narcotics and Gangs, and Public Order Police arrested the then 24-year-old suspect on drug-related charges under the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act (“Transport tip-off leads to major cannabis haul,” 30 October 2024).
The initial arrest followed intelligence received by Hawks’ Saneb regarding a suspicious Nissan NP 300 bakkie with a trailer transporting drugs from Gauteng to Cape Town. Acting on the information, officers spotted the vehicle on the N2 near Strand and conducted a search, discovering blocks of compressed cannabis concealed in false compartments within the trailer. The seized drugs had an estimated value exceeding R1 million. The first suspect appeared in the Strand Magistrates’ Court on Friday 25 October last year.
After numerous court appearances, the case against Walter Maseko (26) was remanded to Monday 10 November for a new legal representative.
