Cape Town resident Joseph Hughes (25) reached a plea agreement with the state after being sentenced for drug possession under the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act.
He was given a five-year prison sentence or a R200 000 fine, which is entirely suspended for five years, provided he avoids any convictions for the same offence during that period.
Also read: Western Cape man fined R30 000 for home-run cannabis hydroponic lab
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Hughes was arrested in December of last year and released on R50 000 bail after a hydroponic cannabis laboratory was discovered at his Constantia house.
A search and seizure operation was carried out by various law enforcement units, including the Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau team, Crime Intelligence Counter Narcotics and Gangs, the K9 Unit and the Flying Squad.
The operation was prompted by a tip-off regarding suspicious activities related to a hydroponic cannabis lab. Upon entering the premises, it was discovered that seven rooms were being used for the cultivation of different types of cannabis.
Police seized a variety of cannabis products worth over 1 million rand, which included six bags of one-kilogramme cannabis stems, 754 plants, and 10 kilogrammes of dried cannabis.
The value of the proceeds from Hughes’ illegal activities and related unlawful actions exceeded R100 000.
