A Zimbabwean couple was arrested in Galeshewe, Kimberley, for allegedly dispensing medicine without qualifications and operating an illegal pharmacy.
Acting on a tip-off about suspicious activities, members of the Kimberley Public Order Police visited premises in Galeshewe Number 2 on Saturday, 11 October, later calling in the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (Hawks) Serious Organised Crime Investigations team.
Police members discovered a large cache of medicines and nearly R160 000 in cash at the property. The husband and wife, both 34, were arrested for contravening the Medicine Control Act.
Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe, Hawks spokesperson, said the seized medicines included 114 bottles of Painogon syrup, 100 bottles of Stilpane syrup, 100 bottles of Broncleer syrup, 30 bottles of Lenazineforte syrup, and 431 Mylon tablets.
Each bottle was being sold for R60, said Thebe.
During the search, officers detected a strong smell of cannabis coming from another room in the same yard. This led to the discovery of cannabis worth approximately R90 000 contained in black plastic bags.
“The team could not link the cannabis to anyone as no one was found in the room. Investigation on a linkage is continuing,” Thebe added.
The couple is expected to appear in Kimberley Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 13 October
UPDATE: Thebe said Takundn Maturure and Lydia Mapepeta, both 34 years old, appeared in court on Monday. The case is postponed to 21 October for bail application.
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