At least 500kgs of dagga confiscated in North West, shop owner arrested
"The suspect, who allegedly also sells franchises for cannabis dispensaries, is a major supplier of cannabis and related products in the country,” said Hawks spokesperson, Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso.
Russell de Beer (48), the owner of the Canapax shop in Van Velden Street, appeared in the Brits Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 11 November 2019 on charges for contravening the Medicine and Related Substances Act, as well as dealing in dagga, Kormorant reports.
“The Serious Organised Crime Unit of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and members of Forensic Science Laboratory and Local Criminal Record Centre descended on a dagga laboratory in Brits on Saturday and arrested the owner of a cannabis dispensary. The suspect, who allegedly also sells franchises for cannabis dispensaries, is a major supplier of cannabis and related products in the country,” said Hawks spokesperson, Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso.
Rikhotso said the investigation aims to clamp down on unlawful cannabis dispensaries opening up around the country that claim to operate legally in terms of the Traditional Health Practitioners Act (No. 22 of 2007).
“A search of the suspect’s store allegedly revealed over 500 kg worth of cannabis estimated to be worth approximately R3 million, hydroponic tunnels for cannabis cultivation, various apparatus for processing and oil extraction and numerous other cannabis products.”
Everything was seized by the Hawks. De Beer was remanded in custody and will again appear in the Brits Magistrates’ Court for a formal bail application on Friday, 15 November 2019.
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