R52m drugs case postponed

2009-06-09 22:35

Johannesburg - The case against a 35-year-old Mozambican man found in possession of heroin valued at R52m was postponed in the Komatipoort Periodical Court on Tuesday, Mpumalanga police said.

Emmanuel Memuse's legal representative asked for a further postponement until June 11 in the Barberton Magistrate's Court, so he could consult with his client for a possible admission of guilt, said spokesperson Captain Leonard Hlathi.

Another man he was with when they were arrested at the Lebombo Border Post on May 19, Jayime Maluzane Chauke, 52, was granted R10 000 bail last Tuesday.

This was because Memuse told police that Chauke knew nothing about the drugs as he had asked him to accompany him to Johannesburg.

The pair was arrested during a routine check around 19:30.

"Police stopped a truck which was carrying some old furniture and vehicle parts. They discovered a built-in false compartment, where seven bags of heroine were stashed," said Hlathi.

Each bag contained an average of 25kg of heroin, worth a total of R52 354 500.

At the time of their arrest, the two claimed they did not know the truck they were driving into South Africa from Mozambique was carrying drugs.
 

- SAPA