NPA raids Paparas' property

2008-07-22 15:50

Johannesburg - The Scorpions have raided and searched property belonging to Dimitro Paparas, who is the co-accused of businessman Glen Agliotti in a drug dealing case, the National Prosecuting Authority said on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Tlali Tlali said the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the NPA obtained a forfeiture order on Monday for a small property in Springs belonging to Paparas.

He said two sealing machines and five gas stoves were seized.

Paparas is the co-accused of Agliotti and Clinton Nassif on charges of dealing in 2 064kg of hashish.

"The investigation was conducted by the Directorate of Special Operations," Tlali said.

Storage facility

The forfeiture order flows from a Preservation Application brought wherein it was contended that the small holding valued at R650 000 was used for a variety of purposes associated with the manufacturing of and dealing in drugs.

"Not only was the property used as a storage facility to keep the stoves which contained hashish, but crates, equipment and other materials associated with storage were found inside the house," said Tlali.

During the search it was evident that the house was not used as a dwelling.

Tlali said the house was not furnished and no food, linen, appliances or bedding were found.

"The inside walls of the house and the floors were not plastered and the ceilings were not finished."

Re-packaging

In court papers, the AFU submitted that the property was used as a distribution point from where hashish was distributed to Europe, Pietermaritzburg and elsewhere.

Tlali said the sealer machines and gas stoves were found inside the house on the property and were indicative of the re-packing process of the drugs that took place on the property.

"The garage, which is connected to the main house, also contained sealing equipment and machinery as well as vacuum machines."

He said isolated houses and plots were often used as a base where drugs could be safely repacked, stored and distributed without detection.

The property will now be sold and the proceeds paid into the Criminal Asset Recovery Account.

Paparas did not oppose the application and his criminal trial will continue from October 14 to 16 in Alberton.

- SAPA