Two men from the Hermanus area are the latest to have been arrested in connection with an incident in July 2024 in which police confiscated cocaine worth an estimated R252 million in Stilbaai Harbour.
Lt-Col Siyabulela Vukubi, spokesperson for the Hawks, confirmed Dicky Benzien and Renaldo Beukes were arrested on 7 August and appeared in court the following day on charges of dealing in drugs. “On 19 August they were released on bail. The next court appearance is scheduled for 8 September,” he said. “A total of eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the matter, with five in custody and three out on bail.”
The arrests stem from an incident on 19 July 2024 when members of the Stilbaai police and officials of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment seized 14 bags containing 400 bricks of cocaine when they responded to information about a vessel suspected of transporting narcotics. After a high-speed chase with a Toyota Pajero towing a rubberduck the officials managed to stop the vehicle. The drugs were discovered hidden in compartments on the vessel. The rubber duck as well as the vehicle and drugs were confiscated.
The police also managed to arrest the two occupants of the vehicle, Marko Minic and Alan Bushby, who had tried to flee the scene. Further investigations led to the arrests of Marko Fourie and Josip Ivanovic, a Russian national. Jordan Brandon Cullinghworth, 29, was granted bail of R120 000 after he turned himself over to the police earlier this year.
The six suspects made a brief appearance in the Riversdal Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 26 August. The case against the men was postponed to 8 September when Benzien and Beukes were expected to appear appear along with their co-accused.
