An alleged drug dealer accused of fleeing his homeland in the United Kingdom and settling in Constantia to avoid prosecution has offered R200 000 in exchange for his release on bail.
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This was revealed in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on Friday, when Callum Gower appeared for his ongoing bail hearing.
The Hawks and Interpol arrested Gower and his mother, Caroline Sevier (51) for allegedly fleeing their Sussex home as they faced drug charges.
In the extradition application, UK authorities detailed the investigation into the duo.
According to a statement from the Chief Crown Prosecutor, the information in the application dates back to June 2020, when a warrant of arrest was issued for Gower.
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The application, which includes statements from UK detectives, states that Gower and his mother were accused of running drug houses in Hastings and faced a number of charges dating back to 2014.
Police raided his home and seized £23 075 (R557 080) in cash and drugs worth nearly £400 000 (R9 656 872).
According to court documents, Sevier was stopped in March 2014 while driving her blue Vauxhall Astra, and police seized a set of keys from her possession. When they arrived at the home, they discovered a stash of drugs hidden throughout the house, including dagga, MDMA, cocaine and other drugs.
The State has since opposed their bail applications, citing Gower’s flight risk.
Gower claimed in his application, which was submitted by advocate Bruce Hendricks, that he was not a flight risk and that UK authorities lacked credible evidence.
‘There is no direct evidence linking me to the illegal substances found and the Crown relies on circumstantial evidence. Specifically in respect of the “cocaine” found at the one premises, I am not connected to those drugs or that property.’
‘My fingerprints are only alleged to be found on one empty “freezer bag”.’
In the State’s opposition, they highlighted that if granted bail, Gower would flee to avoid being extradited to the UK.
‘The applicant faces lengthy terms of imprisonment for the alleged offences. It is respectfully submitted that this will be an incentive for the applicant to flee the extradition proceedings and in doing so, flee the trial proceedings in the UK,’ the court papers read.’
The case has been postponed to April 26 for a bail judgement.
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