Durban - The three men arrested at a drug bust at a Kloof home two weeks ago made a brief appearance in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The two chinese nationals, Wing Lik Wong, 58, Yip Kin Hung, 56, and Warren Daniels, 24, believed to be from Cape Town, are being charged with possession and dealing in drugs.
All three covered their faces with face towels and their jackets.
Police investigations have revealed thus far the men were in possession of 2 000 litres of methaqualone in pure sludge form and 45kg of methaqualone in powder form.
The estimated value of the drugs at this stage of the police investigations is estimated to be about R20 million, but that may increase.
This is according to NPA spokesperson Nathi Mncube. He said that it was still early in the investigation.
The men were greeted by a packed courtroom with television camera crews, journalists and photographers filling up the courtroom. There were also protests from the ANC Womens’ League and People Against Gangsterism and Drugs.
Reformed drug addicts from a Newlands drug reform centre in Durban, who were brought in by the Department of Social Development who also had representatives in the courtroom, also joined the call for the men not to be granted bail.
The matter was brief and Magistrate Wendy Robinson adjourned the matter to July 18, with the three accused remanded into custody at Westville Prison.
Initial reports suggested the drugs haul to be in the vicinity of R3 billion and the drugs manufactured at the upmarket Everton Road to be heroin in its pure powder form. However police have confirmed that the drug was Methaqualone.
The men are being represented by defence attorney Abdul Shaikjee after their initial representative, Samlal Garbaran, withdrew. The State is being represented by prosecutor Waldo Smit.
