In a significant blow to organised drug networks operating in the North West, the High Court in Mahikeng has moved to permanently strip criminals of their tools of the trade. The court has granted preservation orders for two vehiclesa white Mercedes-Benz and a red Volkswagen Polodeemed integral to local drug smuggling operations.
The orders, issued under the powerful Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), signal a strategic shift by authorities: not just to arrest suspects, but to systematically dismantle the financial and logistical infrastructure that enables their crimes.
Engineering for Crime: Cars Modified to Conceal
The court’s decision was the culmination of meticulous police work by the Provincial Organised Crime and Drug Task Team, which investigated the two vehicles following separate operations in 2023. The key finding was that both cars were not merely transport; they were deliberately and specifically modified with hidden compartments to conceal and transport narcotics.
This discovery transformed the vehicles from simple possessions into instruments of crime, paving the way for the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority to seek their seizure. The court agreed, finding it grounds to preserve the assets pending a final forfeiture application.
“A Strong Message”: Hitting Criminals Where It Hurts
Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major General Ryno Naidoo, welcomed the court’s ruling, framing it as a critical deterrent. He praised the collaborative effort between the police investigators and the AFU.
“The preservation orders send a strong message that criminals will not be allowed to benefit from or retain the tools they use to commit crime,” Naidoo stated. “We commend the dedicated work… in ensuring that the law is upheld and our communities are protected from the scourge of drugs.”
This approach of targeting assets is a key weapon in the fight against syndicates. By seizing the high-value vehicles used to facilitate the drug trade, authorities aim to disrupt supply chains and reduce the profitability of these illicit operations.
The two cars will now remain in state custody. The next step will be a final forfeiture proceeding, where the state will argue for the vehicles to be permanently confiscated, ensuring they can never be used to fuel the drug scourge in Potchefstroom again.
