Convicted drug dealer sentenced
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Western Cape, Major General Mathipa Makgato praised the Bellville based Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) team for their sterling fact-finding skills that led to the successful sentencing of Peter Charles Cooke (46) on 25 August 2023.
This conviction and sentence was preceded by his arrest in June 2021, after the Hawks team reacted on information that was received about a suspect who was managing a hydroponic lab in his house. National Intervention Unit and the Hawks reacted swiftly and discovered a hydroponic laboratory and seized 35 cannabis plants growing under a tent with lights and fans.
They also seized loose cannabis, cannabis powder, syringes containing cannabis CBD oil as well as more CBD oil in glass bottles and capsules. The value was established to be approximately R80 000-00. Cooke was arrested and was later released on R30 000-00 bail.
Cooke was sentenced to a term of four (4) years imprisonment wholly suspended for a period of five years on condition he is not convicted of contravention the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act.
He was further sentenced to a fine of R30 000-00 or two (2) years imprisonment.
Source: South African Police Service