/ 9 February 1999

MORE ‘CRACK RING’ ARRESTS SOON

NORTHERN Province police, who believe they have cracked a major cocaine smuggling ring, expect to make additional arrests in Johannesburg soon. Police spokesperson Ronel Otto said on Sunday investigators will follow leads in Johannesburg this week. The investigation follows the arrest of a Nigerian, Augustine Zukora (41), who is believed to be the biggest crack dealer in Gauteng, at the Kranskop tollgate near Nylstroom last weekend. Zukora, a 17-year-old girl and another man, Johan Smith (40) of Cresta, were arrested after they were allegedly found in possession of cocaine worth R480000. They appeared in the Nylstroom magistrates court on Monday last week on charges of drug trafficking, but were not asked to plead and were denied bail. The case was postponed to March 10.