‘Krokodil’ killer now a reality
The drug - also known as 'bath salts' - was being manufactured in an Illovo Beach house and the case even attracted the attention of the UN and the US Department of Justice.
THE Mid South Coast Mail was rapped over the knuckles several months ago for quoting a paramedic who warned that a new deadly drug, called ‘krokodil’, was rapidly finding its way onto the market.
The paramedic claimed he had treated two people on the South Coast who had taken the drug.
We were accused – even by official police spokesmen – of being ‘sensationalist’ and ‘merely trying to sell more newspapers’.
Well, backing up our story now is a recent case where a Durban couple – Nigerian Collins UwakAneme and his South African wife, Veliswe – have been jailed for 15 years each for manufacturing the new drug.
Durban magistrate Sharon Marks commended the thorough investigations by Warrant Officer Louis Fourie.
The drug – also known as ‘bath salts’ – was being manufactured in an Illovo beach house and the case even attracted the attention of the UN and the US Department of Justice.
In Russia, the drug is called ‘krokodil’ and it is a ‘known killer’.
The court heard that, on social media, word was spreading that this was now the drug of choice and that traffickers had found a new method to fly under the radar of legislation.
The UN is sending a team to South Africa to hear how the prosecution conducted its case.
Police investigations found:
- About 50kg of a powder used exclusively to make ‘bath salts’ (krokodil) which, when manufactured, has a street value of some R50-million;
- About 51 000 tablets, similar in appearance to ecstasy, valued at R4,3-million;
- R206 000 in cash;
- Drug manufacturing equipment and other materials.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via BBM, add us using the pin 2BABF7D1.
The South Coast Herald is also on Facebook and Twitter – why not join us there?
