THE Hawks have arrested Sandra Pillay, a 53-year-old woman from Durban, in connection with a significant drug laboratory investigation in Standerton, where millions in cash and luxury vehicles were seized.
Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers
THE Hawks have arrested Sandra Pillay, a 53-year-old woman from Durban, in connection with a significant drug laboratory investigation in Standerton, where millions in cash and luxury vehicles were seized.
Pillay handed herself over to the Standerton police on Wednesday, following an intensive investigation by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation, based in Secunda.
She was charged and appeared before the Standerton Magistrate’s Court, where she was granted bail of R10 000.
Pillay is expected to appear again in court on June 23, where she will join her co-accused.
Her arrest follows the earlier discovery of a clandestine drug laboratory in Standerton, where authorities arrested two South African nationals and five Mozambican nationals.
During the operation, investigators also seized 11 vehicles, including seven luxury vehicles, as well as more than R3 million in cash concealed in the boot of one of the luxury vehicles.
It has been alleged that Pillay’s vehicle was among the luxury vehicles recovered at one of the premises, allegedly used to produce final drug products.
The vehicle was allegedly found containing more than R3 million in cash, concealed in the boot.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, commended the investigating team for their unwavering commitment and dedication in ensuring that all individuals linked to illegal drug manufacturing and trafficking are brought to justice.