Two men and two women appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today following their arrest for allegedly illegally dealing scheduled substances such as fat burners ‘containing meth’ and steroids.

According to an article published by Pretoria Rekord, Norman Brits (54), Henry Crail (32), Mona-Lize Grobler (49) and Cailin De Bruin (28) were arrested when the SAPS this week uncovered that they were allegedly part of a drug syndicate. They allegedly sold steroids, scheduled medicine, stimulants and other performance-enhancing drugs via the internet.

The four were among six arrested, but the charges against the two other people have since been dropped.

They operated from East Lynne, Pretoria.

The case has been postponed to February 20 for a bail hearing.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana says it is alleged that from 2021, the accused operated as a syndicate, running an online platform to trade and distribute scheduled substances and medicines.

She adds that a police investigation, supported by forensic laboratory analysis, revealed that the products contained prohibited substances.

“Brits, Crail and Grobler were arrested on February 11 at their respective residences in and around Pretoria. De Bruin was arrested a day later.”

Mahanjana said additional charges may be brought against the accused.

Among the products sold, police found one containing an isomer of methamphetamine (crystal meth or tik).

SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk says the four face multiple charges related to the contravention of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act No 140 of 1992, Medicines and Related Substances Act 72 of 2008 and the Counterfeit Goods Act 37 of 1997.”

Van Wyk says the suspects were reportedly operating an online website to trade and distribute counterfeit and illicit performance-enhancing drugs, scheduled medicines, steroids and stimulants.

She adds that the takedown operation followed extensive investigations.

“One of the products sold online as a ‘fat burner’ contains Dimethylphenethylamine, an isomer of methamphetamine,” she says.

She said during the arrests, the team seized a substantial quantity of counterfeit and illicit performance-enhancing drugs, steroids, scheduled medicine and stimulants, as well as electronic devices.

The team comprised SAPS National Organised Crime Investigations Narcotics Unit, SAPS Transnational Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit, Gauteng Provincial Narcotics Unit and Crime Intelligence, SAPS K9 Search and Rescue, the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority, the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport and the Financial Intelligence Centre.

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