A group of Cape Town men accused of smokkeling cocaine worth millions into South Africa have been sent to the mang after appearing in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Rafiek Baderoen, 44, Rashied Baderoen, 48, and Michael Norman, 38, from Strand, joined two more men in the dock after being busted by the Hawks, the FBI and the Australian Federal Police.
Their arrest followed a R400 million cocaine bust in Gauteng on 2 June where the team nabbed Niel Pieter van Zyl, 39, who was caught on the N1 highway in Pretoria towing a 12-foot ski boat loaded with 800kg of compressed pure cocaine.
Since then the Hawks have gone on the hunt for a remaining suspect, Ahmad Isa, 41, who is still on the run.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase says Isa has been flagged by Interpol as he is wanted in Belgium for smokkeling cocaine and money laundering.
He says the Hawks busted another suspect ahead of the court appearance yesterday and the four men were sent to the mang after the case was postponed.
“The three suspects transported from Cape Town to Pretoria appeared [yesterday] and the court case against them was remanded to 24 June.
“The three accused will join Van Zyl who is in court on Thursday along with another suspect, a Lithuanian national.”
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Isa is asked to call Warrant Officer Brittion on 082 778 2815 or Brigadier Naicker on 082 778 2818.
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body copy_bold: HUGE BUST: Drug cartel dealt a massive blow