The Asset Forfiture Unit (AFU) has obtained a Western Cape High Court order allowing it to attach property, cash and vehicles linked to a suspected “large-scale” mandrax and tik manufacturing syndicate operating from premises in Kraaifontein, Industria.
During a raid of the premises in April this year, police seized equipment and chemicals used in the manufacture of mandrax.
Forensic experts have calculated that the chemicals were sufficient to produce 16 million mandrax tablets with a street value of R241 million.
The suspected head of the syndicate, Mohamed Nisar Holia, and three alleged accomplices were arrested at the premises and are currently in custody at Goodwood Prison.
The other three are Hasanbhai Patel, Vimalkumar Aaliwala and Jayeshkumar Patel.
They are to appear in the Kuils River Magistrate’s Court in January in connection with drug-dealing charges.
According to court papers, police suspect that the alleged syndicate has been manufacturing drugs since 2007.
In an affidavit before the court, Asset Investigation Task Team detective Pieter Louw said the syndicate had allegedly initially operated from various premises in the same area, but moved after containers linked to it were detained at Cape Town Harbour.
All the equipment at those premises was removed and stored in Windhoek.
However, when new premises were found in the same area in March 2011, the operations moved there and the equipment returned.
Louw said: “The syndicate established a large -scale manufacturing laboratory at the premises with capacity to manufacture methaqualone on a large scale.”
Methaqualone is used in the manufacture of mandrax.
According to Louw, it’s alleged that Holia used three close corporations to import and export chemicals and equipment from China and India.
The CCs are Patel Agricultural, Tarini International and Libra Chemical Distributors.
The sole member of Patel Agricultural is Hasanbhai Patel, while Holia is the sole member of Tarini International.
Libra Chemicals is registered in the name of Holia’s wife, Nafisa.
Louw said police believed that Libra Chemicals was established solely as a front company to conceal the activities.
In April police obtained warrants to search the Kraaifontein premises and Holia’s Sea Point residence.
They went to the premises on April 18 to execute the warrant and found the four men.
He said Hasanbhai Patel and Jayeshkumar Patel were wearing blue overalls and were working with machines manufacturing drugs.
One of the policemen took control of the premises and called in Lieutenant Colonel Antonie Gerber of the Forensic Science Laboratory.
Gerber and his colleague, Warrant Officer Clinten Arendse, took photographs and collected samples at the premises.
All the chemicals required to produce mandrax were found, Louw said.
“Gerber concludes that methaqualone was synthesised on a large scale at the premises,” he added.
Later, at Holia’s residence, police found R70 000 in cash.
Analysis of samples taken from the premises showed that the drainage system contained methaqualone, suggesting that the “drug-manufacturing activities”
date back to 2007.
Judge Shanaaz Meer granted the AFU an order, allowing it to attach vehicles, cash and equipment belonging to the accused.
fatima.schroeder@inl.co.za -Cape Argus
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