Namibian in SA court for ‘mobile drug lab’

JOHANNESBURG – Two foreigners appeared in the Johannesburg magistrate’s court on Friday in connection with drug offences, fraud and money laundering, the South African Police said.

Senior Superintendent Mary Martins-Engelbrecht said the case has been postponed to May 23. Thomas Scheffer and Shmuel Propheta, both 48, were arrested in March after a joint investigation by the Gauteng crime intelligence unit, the health department and Interpol.”The investigation started back in November last year.Scheffer, a Namibian, originally from Germany, was arrested at his home in Northcliff Corner, Johannesburg,” said Martins-Engelbrecht.”Police discovered a mobile lab with equipment and chemicals used in the manufacturing of drugs.They also confiscated R5,5 million worth of steroids and Assent tablets.”Martins-Engelbrecht said the Assent tablets (similar to Viagra) were smuggled from India via Namibia to South Africa, and sold to sex shops across the country.”Propheta, an Israeli, was arrested at his home in Oaklands in Johannesburg.He used the aliases of Sam, David and Muly,” she said.”Police discovered a drug lab and scheduled medicine in the form of diet tablets (Ultra Lean).These tablets were distributed by fraudulently making use of the name of a Canada-based manufacturing company.”- Nampa-SapaThomas Scheffer and Shmuel Propheta, both 48, were arrested in March after a joint investigation by the Gauteng crime intelligence unit, the health department and Interpol.”The investigation started back in November last year.Scheffer, a Namibian, originally from Germany, was arrested at his home in Northcliff Corner, Johannesburg,” said Martins-Engelbrecht.”Police discovered a mobile lab with equipment and chemicals used in the manufacturing of drugs.They also confiscated R5,5 million worth of steroids and Assent tablets.”Martins-Engelbrecht said the Assent tablets (similar to Viagra) were smuggled from India via Namibia to South Africa, and sold to sex shops across the country.”Propheta, an Israeli, was arrested at his home in Oaklands in Johannesburg.He used the aliases of Sam, David and Muly,” she said.”Police discovered a drug lab and scheduled medicine in the form of diet tablets (Ultra Lean).These tablets were distributed by fraudulently making use of the name of a Canada-based manufacturing company.”- Nampa-Sapa