Asset forfeiture orders were granted by the courts after accused persons were found carrying large sums of cash and allegedly selling drugs at a Kimberley mall in two separate incidents.
ASSET forfeiture orders were granted after accused persons were found carrying large sums of cash and allegedly selling drugs at a Kimberley mall in two separate incidents.
The Upington Magistrate’s Court granted the Hawks and the Asset Forfeiture Unit a final order of R227,450 against Masoud Mohammed, 48, which will be paid into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (Cara).
Northern Cape Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said the order was granted on March 19 after the matter was referred to the Hawks’ Priority Crime Specialised Investigation team, working in conjunction with the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU).
“In May 2023, information was received regarding a taxi that was travelling to Springbok where one of the passengers was carrying a black and red bag containing cash. The taxi was intercepted by the police. They found a bag that was as described and requested the owner to open it. An amount of R227,450 was discovered,” said Mnisi.
She added that in an unrelated case, the Hawks in the Northern Cape, with the assistance of the AFU, secured a preservation order for a vehicle worth R85,700 in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on March 15.
Mnisi stated that the occupant of the vehicle, Melvin Malebo, 39, was arrested in April 2023.
“The police received information regarding a vehicle parked at the Diamond Pavilion Mall where drugs were allegedly being sold. The police acted swiftly and intercepted the vehicle. During the search, mandrax tablets and tik were found in the vehicle with an estimated street value of R100,000,” said Mnisi.
She added that Malebo was immediately apprehended.
“The case docket was handed over to Priority Crime Specialised Investigation for a further probe. This culminated in the vehicle being preserved for future forfeiture,” said Mnisi.
