Court acts on CT 'drug house'

2003-05-22 13:44

Cape Town - A judge granted an order on Thursday for the forfeiture of a Cape Town house, allegedly a drug laboratory.

The order was issued by Judge Nathan Erasmus in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

Narcotics bureau police had raided the house in January 2001.

The national directorate of public prosecutions had claimed that Simon Prophet of 54 Balfour Street in Woodstock was using the property to manufacture methamphetamine, commonly known as "ice".

Prophet, who also faces criminal charges, had told the court he was an "amateur chemist" with a particular personal interest in chemical experiments.

He claimed to have inherited his interest in chemistry along with all the laboratory equipment, literature and chemicals found at the property from his brother.

However, Erasmus said Prophet admitted to ordering the ingredients for the drug and that this was done under a false name.

Concern about drug-related crime

At no stage had Prophet been prepared to confide to the court details of the innocuous chemical experiment he claimed to have been conducting.

"His claim that he was experimenting with 'formulas that did not make sense' simply because it was 'stimulating, exciting and therapeutic' is unconvincing," Erasmus said.

It was clear on a balance of probabilities that the property was used in the commission of the offences.

Erasmus said there was a growing concern about the way drug-related crime threatened the everyday lives of ordinary community members.

"All efforts must be made to deter illegal activities that contribute to neighbourhood deterioration," the judge said.

- SAPA