Latest news with #Mandrax
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Daily Maverick
Spies and SA's narco secrets — behind the US sentencing of global drug trafficker ‘Sultan' Muhammad Asif Hafeez
Muhammad Asif Hafeez of Pakistan previously pleaded guilty in the US to drug trafficking charges. Now he's reportedly been sentenced in a case also implicating Vicky Goswami, a Mandrax mastermind who once testified about dominating South Africa's narco trade — and murders. South Africa's narcotrafficking arena, part of global organised crime, is saturated with suspicions linked to spies, double agents and politics. A sprawling case that touches on some of these elements involves Muhammad Asif Hafeez, also known as 'the big boss' and 'Sultan', from Pakistan. He once claimed to be a US government informant. In November last year the US Justice Department issued a statement announcing that Hafeez, 'one of the world's most prolific drug traffickers', pleaded guilty to narco conspiracy charges there. It also said Hafeez had been dominant 'in a sophisticated international drug trafficking network'. That drug network extended all the way to South Africa. And among those involved in it were individuals who have, or are suspected to have, operated in different countries' government circles. Daily Maverick previously referenced a 2019 Vrye Weekblad report that said Mandrax trafficker Vicky Goswami of India, in sealed grand jury testimony in the US, alleged that members of the Gupta family were involved in money laundering on behalf of Hafeez. A Gupta lawyer on a previous occasion previously failed to respond to Daily Maverick questions about this. And a lawyer for Hafeez had said his client denied knowing the Guptas. Now, it was reported that earlier this month, on 6 June 2025, that Hafeez had been sentenced in the US to an effective 16 years in jail on the charges he previously pleaded guilty to. Hafeez and heroin The BBC summed up the case: 'After a complex joint operation between the British and American authorities, Hafeez, 66, was extradited from the UK in 2023. He pleaded guilty last November. 'He was (recently) sentenced to 16 years in a New York prison for conspiring to import drugs — including enough heroin for 'millions of doses' — into the US.' Unlike previously when the US government issued press releases when accused individuals in the broader case linked to Hafeez were arrested, pleaded or were sentenced, this did not happen with the handing down of his jail term. Daily Maverick unsuccessfully tried to get direct confirmation and details on Hafeez's sentencing, which has since been reported on internationally, from the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. A search on the US government's inmate locator platform did not show anyone detained there under his name. But an inmate recorded as 'Muhammad Hafiz' was jailed there and his age was recorded as 66 years — this, based on what the US previously divulged in a press statement, is roughly the same as Hafeez's age. Daily Maverick has also established that one of his aliases listed on an indictment against him is 'Muhammad Asif Hafiz'. This therefore suggests that Hafeez is indeed a sentenced prisoner in the US. Akashas of Kenya He appears to be one of the last key figures, if not the last one, in this specific US case to be sentenced. It has yet to be seen whether the case will now quietly taper off or if information gleaned from it, which may include secrets about South Africa's drug trade, will result in further arrests and legal proceedings. Baktash Akasha Abdalla, Ibrahim Akasha Akasha Abdalla, Gulam Hussein, Vijaygiri Anandgiri Goswami extradited to the US over drug trafficking — Hot 96 FM Kenya (@Hot_96Kenya) February 1, 2017 Hafeez was accused of conspiring, from about 2013, with others including two Kenyan brothers, Baktash Akasha Abdalla and Ibrahim Akasha Abdalla, better known as the Akashas. According to the US, Baktash allegedly headed an organised crime group known as the Akasha Organisation. It distributed drugs in Kenya, throughout Africa and into the US. Hafeez was accused of being a primary supplier of drugs to the Akashas. Goswami and South Africa This is where Goswami fits in because the Akashas and Hafeez had worked with him. Goswami's past, with strong connections to South Africa, is detailed in this journalist's book, Clash of the Cartels: Unmasking the global drug kingpins stalking South Africa. It details how Goswami appeared to be politically connected in this country. A section also notes some lingering questions about him: 'Was he working with South African activists and politicians who later rose to power when the state became a democracy? 'Will he dig up and detail the dirt on old South African acquaintances? Is he actually an intelligence agent for another country, perhaps the US?' Decades ago, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Goswami operated in Zambia — coincidentally where former president Jacob Zuma became the ANC's intelligence chief during apartheid. In the early 1990s he based himself in South Africa. Goswami later ended up in Dubai and in 1997 he was jailed there for dealing in Mandrax. Goswami was released from a Dubai prison in 2012 and headed to Kenya. The following year, according to US authorities, drug trafficking webs around Goswami expanded to include, among others, the Akasha brothers and Hafeez. Factory raid in India A New York US Attorney's Office press statement picks up the story — and references South Africa. It said that 'by early 2014' the Akasha brothers 'and other members of the Akasha Organization started to work to import ton quantities of methaqualone precursor chemicals into Africa in order to fuel the illicit [Mandrax] pills' production in South Africa'. They used the proceeds of the Mandrax dealings to import ephedrine that was 'produced illegally' at a factory in Solapur, India. In 2016 that factory was raided, though, thwarting their plans. The following year, 2017, the Akashas and Goswami were extradited from Kenya to the US to face criminal charges. That year, Hafeez was provisionally arrested in the UK, where he was based at the time. He tried to prevent his extradition from the UK to the US by turning to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Hafeez had claimed to be a US government informant. But the court found: 'The US Government had denied that the applicant was an informant and, while he may have had contact with law enforcement agencies, the District Judge did not consider that he had done so out of a sense of moral duty. 'Rather, he was someone who had brought to the attention of the authorities the criminal conduct of others who he knew to be actual or potential rivals to his substantial criminal enterprise.' Hafeez was extradited to the US in May 2023. Sentencing and singing in the US By then, Goswami had already started speaking out there, following his extradition years earlier. While testifying in the US in 2019, he referred to the Solapur ephedrine factory that was raided in 2016. He also talked about the assassination in South Africa in 2014 of a drug trafficker — identified in court proceedings only as Pinky, who was shot 32 times. Goswami testified that an acquaintance was promised half a ton of abba (chemicals used to make Mandrax) in exchange for the murder to be carried out. He also explained the reason behind Pinky's assassination: 'Because, first of all, Pinky was threatening us. Second, we wanted to have him killed so we can put an impression in (the) South African drug market (that) we are not here to play.' Daily Maverick has previously reported that while Goswami is wanted in India over the Solapur factory raid saga, he also became a cooperating witness for the US government. As for the Akasha brothers, both have already been sentenced. Baktash was jailed in the US for 25 years in 2018, while Ibrahim was sentenced to 23 years' imprisonment in 2020. With Hafeez earlier this month also being jailed, it means the US has in its custody inmates with apparent intimate knowledge of drug dealings in South Africa, an arena that has always been close to political suspicions. DM
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Alleged drug dealer nabbed following tip-off
In a dramatic arrest, police in the Fezile Dabi district arrested a 38-yearold. This comes after police acted upon intelligence information about a suspect selling drugs in the area. When police ambushed the dealer, he tried to flee the scene but was later apprehended. Fezile Dabi police spokesperson Sergeant Josephine Rani confirmed the arrest. 'On June 11, our officers arrested a suspect for possession of drugs. This follows a tip-off on Tuesday about the said dealer, who is now behind bars.' 'During the search, the suspect was found in possession of nine packets of crystal meth and six brown tablets (Mandrax),' said Rani. The police mouthpiece said the suspect was arrested and charged with possession of drugs, and the drugs were confiscated. 'The suspect appeared before the Parys Magistrate's Court soon on charges of possession of drugs,' she said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Man behind bars for possession of drugs
Man behind bars for possession of drugs TUMAHOLE – In a dramatic arrest, police in the Fezile Dabi district arrested a 38-yearold. This comes after police acted upon intelligence information about a suspect selling drugs in the area. When police ambushed the dealer, he tried to flee the scene but was later apprehended. Fezile Dabi police spokesperson Sergeant Josephine Rani confirmed the arrest. 'On June 11, our officers arrested a suspect for possession of drugs. This follows a tip-off on Tuesday about the said dealer, who is now behind bars.' 'During the search, the suspect was found in possession of nine packets of crystal meth and six brown tablets (Mandrax),' said Rani. The police mouthpiece said the suspect was arrested and charged with possession of drugs, and the drugs were confiscated. 'The suspect appeared before the Parys Magistrate's Court soon on charges of possession of drugs,' she said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
14-06-2025
- The South African
POLICE SEIZE DAGGA WORTH R7 MILLION IN MPUMALANGA
The police in Tonga confiscated dagga amounting to approximately R7 million in Sibange near Tonga, Mpumalanga, on Friday, 13 June 2025, following a high-speed chase with the Ehlanzeni District (Tonga Task Team). The task team was conducting a stop and search operation in the Sibange area when they stopped a grey VW Polo. However, the driver refused to stop, prompting a chase that went on for 10 kilometres. After the long chase, the suspect abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot. Police recovered more than 20 compressed bags of dagga and confiscated the vehicle. 'The suspect eventually abandoned the vehicle in the Khombaso area and fled into nearby bushes. Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered 24 compressed bags of dagga, believed to be worth millions of rand,' read the police statement. The SAPS urged anyone with information on the suspect's whereabouts to contact the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or to submit tip-offs via the MYSAPS App. The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape, through Operation Vala Umgodi, has arrested eight suspects in connection with drugs. The eight suspects, aged between 24 and 49, were arrested during a multi-disciplinary, intelligence-driven operation conducted in the Frances Baard District. Operational teams discovered a significant quantity of abandoned dagga at the Beefmaster illegal mining site. The first five male suspects were arrested at a construction site in Rhodesdene for breaking the South African Immigration Laws after it was discovered that they had entered the country illegally. Furthermore, two more suspects were arrested in an informal settlement near Tlhageng, Galeshewe, for drug dealing. Police seized drugs, including methamphetamine (commonly known as Tik) and Mandrax tablets during the arrest. Lastly, a 31-year-old male suspect was apprehended in De Beershoogte, Barkly West, after also being found with suspected Tik and Mandrax tablets. The drugs were seized as evidence. The suspects are expected to appear before the Kimberley and Barkly West Magistrates' Courts on Tuesday, 17 June 2025. The police encouraged citizens to report any criminal activity anonymously on via the MySAPS App or by contacting the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
30-05-2025
- The Citizen
Police officers charged with serious crimes remain on active duty as parliament demands reform
The presence of accused officers undermines the entire police service's integrity and effectiveness. The South African Police Service (Saps) faces mounting pressure to remove officers accused of serious criminal offences from active duty, with Parliament's portfolio committee on police demanding urgent Section 34 inquiries to determine fitness for service. The crisis has exposed deep systemic issues in Saps, where officers charged with rape, attempted murder and drug trafficking continue serving in frontline roles while public trust erodes. Criminology expert Willem Els warns that allowing accused officers to remain in uniform sends a dangerous message to communities. 'When the public sees that these officers are still in uniform after being accused of serious crimes like rape and all the others, it demonstrates to them or it gives them the impression that they are above the law and there's no accountability,' Els said. Specific examples of criminally charged police officers' cases The portfolio committee has identified multiple cases where officers facing grave charges continue their duties unimpeded. These include a police constable out on bail for rape who remains stationed at a local facility and an acting station commander facing charges of attempted murder and torture who retains his post. Other cases highlighted by committee chairperson Ian Cameron include a member who was caught selling police docket and later arrested for drunk driving while suspended, but has since returned to work. Furthermore, a court orderly found with over 900 Mandrax tablets continues deployment at a central Cape Town station, while a detective out on bail for drug dealing has reportedly resumed his duties. 'We cannot accept a situation where the police service turns a blind eye to such serious allegations, especially where the charges suggest direct involvement in violent or organised criminal activity,' Cameron said during recent committee engagements with the ministry of police and senior Saps management. ALSO READ: 1 police vehicle and 30 officers sharing 4 cellphones: Cape Town's crime struggle Constitutional challenges and legal framework The situation presents complex legal challenges rooted in South Africa's constitutional framework. Els acknowledges the fundamental principle that individuals remain innocent until proven guilty, creating inherent difficulties in addressing the crisis. However, Els suggests legislative reforms could address these challenges. 'Our legislation seems that it protects these officers more than it is supposed to, but that is our constitution, that is our law,' he explained, proposing immediate suspension once officers are charged with serious crimes to enhance transparency and public trust. During the committee meeting, national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola revealed a loophole that occurs allowing investigated officers to return to duty. 'Quite often, it happens that a departmental case lasts longer than 90 days. As you are aware that in terms of regulations suspension can only take 90 days and then it does happen that if the departmental case is not finalized, such a member comes back to work but normally we don't place that member at the same place where he was working,' he said. ALSO READ: Captain accused of raping trainee at Tshwane Police Academy suspended without pay Ipid response and jurisdictional boundaries The Independent Police Investigative Directorate clarified its role in addressing officers working while facing serious charges, emphasising that employment decisions rest with Saps as the employer. Ipid's mandate focuses on investigation and recommendation rather than direct disciplinary action. 'We are only investigating and once investigated, if it's a criminal offence, we refer the docket to the NPA for a decision. If there's a case to answer from an employer's perspective, we make recommendations to say can you please act against your member,' Ipid spokesperson Lizzy Shupin said. Shupin acknowledged the complexity of cases where court processes take extended periods of time, noting that criminal court outcomes can override internal Saps decisions. 'Sometimes we find that the state court might say they did not find their member guilty if it's a criminal offence. And you find that court processes take long and then the court finds the person guilty and sentences them to whatever number of years, then that would automatically overrule the Saps decision,' she said. ALSO READ: Mchunu to release SA's fourth quarterly crime stats Impact on police effectiveness and public safety The presence of accused officers undermines the entire police service's integrity and effectiveness. Els warned that such situations create 'a culture of impunity within the service, discourages whistleblowing and cooperation from the public and reporting of cases if they can't trust the police.' Echoing Els' sentiments, the committee emphasised that effective crime fighting requires removing officers accused of serious crimes to ensure only committed personnel remain in service. This becomes particularly critical given Saps' mandate to restore credibility and reestablish community collaboration. Proposed solutions and reforms Els recommends several immediate measures, including fast-tracking disciplinary hearings that currently experience lengthy delays. 'Maybe they should look at bringing external presiding officers from the judiciary to oversee these cases and to hear these cases in order to fast track them,' he suggested. The criminologist said risk assessments for officers on bail should bar them from public-facing duties, while standardised procedures could ensure automatic suspension for any officer charged with serious misconduct. 'If a police officer is charged with any serious misconduct, they should be automatically suspended. That will bring about a uniform sort of procedures,' Els explained. ALSO READ: Two Cape Town police officers arrested for kidnapping foreign national Oversight and accountability mechanisms Ipid requires significant strengthening to address these challenges effectively. Els notes that Ipid has been 'stripped of a lot of their resources, underfunded, undermanned' and needs rebuilding to fulfill its oversight role properly. He added that parliamentary oversight committees could play more robust roles in holding police accountable, while international best practices from countries like the UK and Canada demonstrate the effectiveness of independent oversight bodies and mandatory reporting requirements for officer misconduct. Systemic issues and cultural reform The crisis reflects deeper problems within Saps' culture and recruitment processes. Els identifies poor vetting, substandard training, political interference, cronyism and nepotism as underlying problems. 'Political interference, cronyism and nepotism within the police is still very, very high. That is why the police service in South Africa is regarded as the most corrupt state body in South Africa,' he said. Els added that training standards have deteriorated significantly over the past two decades, requiring benchmarking against international standards. ALSO READ: Alleged rape at police academy: Popcru calls for transparency and justice Station-level accountability The committee has resolved to extend oversight to individual police stations, with plans for a special meeting with the Fleurhof station commander following allegations of an inadequate response in the case of missing 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek. 'Crime happens at police station level and while leadership of the SAPS at the national and provincial level must be held accountable, so are officers at the station level,' Cameron emphasised, highlighting the need for accountability at all operational levels. Broader criminal justice concerns Beyond officer misconduct, the committee remains concerned about disparities between arrests and convictions, indicating systemic failures throughout the criminal justice system. The lack of effective plans to combat gang-related violence, which significantly contributes to South Africa's high murder rates, requires urgent attention. 'There is no question that gang violence is a major contributor to the high murder rates in the country. An effective response plan must be developed and urgently implemented to combat gang-related violence,' Cameron said. Path forward Els warns that without addressing these fundamental issues, the problems will persist indefinitely. 'If we don't tackle that, we will be sitting here 10 years from now and we will asking and talking about the same challenges,' he said. The committee continues advocating for enhanced collaboration between SAPS and other government agencies, including the South African Revenue Service, to combat organised crime effectively. Additionally, concerns about lengthy vehicle maintenance periods highlight the need for adequate resources and tools to support police operations. NOW READ: 'It's a joke': KZN detective guilty of plotting commissioner's murder dismisses 10-year sentence
