Suspects implicated in a huge drug bust in which 800kg of cocaine was found in a boat being towed on a Gauteng freeway used encrypted devices — which are used by criminal syndicates abroad — to communicate.
The case is linked to a huge drug bust in June in which a stash of compressed, pure cocaine was found inside a boat being towed on a freeway.
“All accused but accused two [Tenikaitis] had the devices. They also avoided meeting each other in person. They were identified through GPS locations and surveillance,” said the investigating officer.“These devices can only be used by people participating in criminal activities. The device comes with a username where identity is not exposed. The device automatically deletes the message to a third party.”The devices can only be used by people participating in criminal activities.
“There is evidence out there. There are exhibits out there that we are tracking and some of the accused have knowledge where the evidence is. The first thing they would do is to dispose of that.”The investigating officer told the court bail conditions would not make a difference as bail money meant nothing to the suspects.It also emerged in court that Norman was allegedly part of the management of a syndicate.
“It was determined he is part of the management structures of the syndicate. He together with accused four [Rashied Baderoen], were in Gauteng and were monitoring the load that was being moved. We identified them when they were going to meet their lawyer, who was also in possession of an encrypted device,” he said.
He told the court the state had a strong case and said the evidence against Rashied was overwhelming.
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