Serious jail time for drug dealer

A CONVICTED drug dealer and mastermind behind an elaborate drug trafficking operation will spend the next 15 years behind bars.

Maliki Erick Ngobeni (45) was sentenced on Monday by the Pongola Regional Court.

In May, 2017, Hawks members of the Richards Bay Serious Organised Crime unit reacted to a tip-off they had received about a vehicle travelling from the Golela border post towards Pongola.

Local police were alerted and the vehicle was intercepted on the N2 near Sitilo.

A search of the vehicle uncovered 145 bags of heroin powder, with a street value of R101-million.

Ngobeni and his passengers were immediately arrested and the stash confiscated.

Investigations revealed that the drugs were coming into South Africa from Mozambique and were destined for Johannesburg.

Ngobeni’s bail was successfully opposed and he appeared in court numerous times before being found guilty and sentenced.