The police also suspect the steroid manufacturers were also producing sex enhancement pills. PHOTO: Hawks
Four busted for manufacturing suspected sex pills and steroids
Police found steroids and suspected sex enhancement pills that were being manufactured on property in Gauteng.
The police also suspect the steroid manufacturers were also producing sex enhancement pills. PHOTO: Hawks
Four people have been busted for manufacturing and dealing in steroids but also suspected sexual enhancement pills in Gauteng.
HAWKS POUNCE ON STEROID MANUFACTURER
The Hawks had been surveying the premises at New Market Junction in Alrode, Alberton.
The premises were under scrutiny by the Hawks for about two months, said spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said.
This eventually led to a search and seizure operation at the said premises, Ramovha said.
“A fully functional clandestine laboratory manufacturing steroids and suspected sexual enhancement drugs valued at over R2 million were seized.”
Captain Lloyd Ramovha
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FOUR ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION AND DEALING IN STEROIDS
The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team and the K9 unit pounced on four men on Wednesday.
Francois Juan van der Merwe, 44, Jacob Mokgwethwa, 42, Kenneth Aliki, 40 and John James, 51 were immediately arrested.
Van der Merwe seemed to be running the lab as his co-accused were his employees.
“The group appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court [on Thursday]. They were charged with manufacturing, dealing and possession of steroids in contravention of the Medicine and Related Substance Act,” said Ramovha.
Van der Merwe and Mokgwethwa were granted R8 000 bail each.
The other two suspects, Aliki and James, will remain in police custody until their status in the country is verified. Their bail application is expected to be heard next week Wednesday, Ramovha said.
The Gauteng provincial Hawks head Major General Ebrahim Kadwa applauded the multidisciplinary team for their success.
“He further appealed to members of the public to continue reporting the illicit manufacturers and distributors of anabolic steroids as well as other drug substances,” said Ramovha.
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GAUTENG POLICE RECOVER OVER 8 000 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION
Meanwhile, the Gauteng police have recovered over 8 000 rounds of ammunition in the province in the past two weeks.
Over 120 suspects have been arrested and 280 firearms have been recovered between 1 and 15 November, said police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello.
“This is the result of multidisciplinary Operation O Kae Molao routine crime prevention patrols, stop-and-searches and community tip-offs,” said Sello.
