WESTERN CAPE – A Cape Town-based drug kingpin, Richard Mackinna (48) was sentenced to a direct 12 years imprisonment by the Bluedowns Regional Court on 18 November 2022, following his arrest in February 2019 by the Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) team.

The arrest was followed by the investigation of a search by the Flying Squad and K9 Unit after they checked up on information of drugs stored at the premises in Blackheath. 138 000 mandrax worth over R4.8 million were recovered. 

Mackinna was found guilty on 19 July 2022 which culminated in his sentencing to 12 years’ imprisonment for dealing in drugs and he was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Western Cape, Major General Mathipa Makgato welcomed the sentence and thanked the investigation team and K9 Unit for their sterling work.

Source: South African Police Service