An alleged drug mert accused of trying to smokkel cocaine worth R5.7 million into Cape Town has been released on R25 000 bail.
Xolile Skoti, 39, made his first appearance at the Strand Magistrates’ Court on Monday after being busted by the Hawks on the N2 highway.
Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani says Skoti was nabbed while making a stop at a petrol station on Friday shortly after 6pm.
“The Hawks South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) together with Crime Intelligence Western Cape intercepted a bakkie that was en-route to Cape Town from Gauteng carrying plastic bags loaded with cocaine worth over R5.7 million.”
She says a total of 19 bags of raw cocaine was found hidden on the back panels of the bakkie and wrapped in plastic bags.
“A 39-year-old suspect was arrested and the bakkie was also seized.”
Skoti appeared in the Strand Magistrate’s Court yesterday where he was granted R25 000 bail and the case postponed to 31 August for further investigations.
In an unrelated case, Law Enforcement officers arrested three alleged dealers in the Cape Town CBD on Sunday after they were caught with a stash of buttons and tik.
Law Enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason says while on patrol in Darling Street the officers spotted the three men cruising in a vehicle.
“They appeared very nervous upon seeing the officers. The officers decided to stop the vehicle and check if everything was OK.
“While interviewing them, the officers found a plastic carrier bag containing 803 packets of tik and 389 mandrax tablets and R830 in cash.
“All three suspects were arrested and taken to Cape Town Central SAPS where they were charged.”