Quartet suspected of selling fat burners ‘containing meth’, steroids appears in court
They face multiple charges related to the contravention of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, the Medicines and Related Substances Act, and the Counterfeit Goods Act.
Two men and women appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday, following their arrest for illegally dealing scheduled substances such as fat burners ‘containing meth’ and steroids.
Norman Brits (54), Henry Crail (32), Mona-Lize Grobler (49) and Cailin De Bruin (28) were arrested as 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 arrests but the charges against two have since been dropped
They operated from East Lynne, Pretoria.
Photo: Supplied.
The case has been postponed to February 20 for a bail hearing.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said 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 added 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 said the four would face multiple charges related to the contravention of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, Medicines and Related Substances Act, and the Counterfeit Goods Act.”
Van Wyk said the suspects were reportedly operating an online website to trade and distribute counterfeit and illicit performance-enhancing drugs, scheduled medicines, steroids, and stimulants.
She added that the takedown operation followed extensive investigations.
“One of the products sold online as a ‘fat burner’ contains Dimethylphenethylamine, an isomer of methamphetamine,” she stated.
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, Rescue, the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority, the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport, and the Financial Intelligence Centre.
LISTEN:
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
