4 jailed for setting up drug factories
2012-09-18 13:08
Cape Town - Four men have been jailed for in effect eight years for setting up drug manufacturing factories in Kraaifontein, Cape Town, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Tuesday.
Western Cape NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said Mohamed Nisar Holia, 43, Hasan Patel, 42, Vimal Kumar Aaliwala, 38, and Jayesh Patel, 42, were sentenced under a plea agreement by the Khayelitsha Regional Court on Monday.
The men pleaded guilty to charges of racketeering, manufacturing and dealing in methaqualone, and money laundering.
They were sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment, seven years of which was suspended for five years.
"Each of the accused was involved, either through the acquisition of properties, chemicals and equipment and setting up the factories for the manufacturing of tik," Ntabazalila said.
Holia arranged the importation of the equipment and acquisition of properties. He owned several businesses importing chemicals from India and China.
Patel assisted with the rental of factories and worked in them.
Aaliwala was a registered pharmacist in South Africa and India, who used his knowledge to see the right chemicals were used in the manufacturing process of Methaqualone.
Jayesh Patel was responsible for making sure the factory equipment was properly installed.
"While they were busy with manufacturing of the drugs at the property, the accused were unaware that they were being monitored by the police," Ntabazalila said.
"After the first batch of drugs was manufactured, all the accused were arrested with the methaqualone still in powder form. They were offered R3m for the drugs."
The NPA welcomed the sentence.
- SAPA
