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Media Statement GAUTENG – The Johannesburg High Court has convicted and sentenced Tiago Alexandre Texeira (36), following a long drawn out cannabis case dating back to October 2014. The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime team initially arrested Texeira on 27 November 2014, following an investigation into an identified enterprise involved in the cultivation and distribution of cannabis in affluent Johannesburg suburbs. About eleven different addresses were the focus of the Hawks’ probe. Texeira was arrested at an address in Broadacres. The case has been in and out of the court roll since 28 November 2014, owing to interlocutory proceedings brought by the defence to challenge the prosecution. The background of the case was that cannabis was being cultivated on a rented farm situated near the Hartbeespoort dam area. The harvested dagga in more usable forms was being transported from the farm to residential addresses in Johannesburg. The cannabis at a large scale would then be provided and sold to end users or otherwise persons involved in the further distribution, processing, and selling. The Hawks’ investigation implicated Texeira and other associates at the centre of the enterprise that extend to a number of provinces in the country. Texeira faced charges that included contraventions of provisions of Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act. Faced with unrelenting efforts from the investigators and the prosecution team, Texeira eventually started negotiating for a plea bargain in terms of Sec 105 (A) of the Criminal Procedure Act. The case was referred to the NDPP, and the plea was accepted. The High Court sitting in Johannesburg has on Tuesday, 07 May 2024, convicted Texeira on sixteen charges. He is sentenced to R300 000 or three years’ imprisonment of which R100 000 or one year imprisonment is wholly suspended for a period of 5 years’. R200 000 is due immediately. The court has furthermore on 08 May 2024, granted an asset forfeiture order for an amount of R63000 relating to the proceeds from cannabis sales. The rest of the associates remain on the radar of the Hawks and will also have their day in court. Ends
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