One of the country's most high profile drug trials gets underway in Johannesburg today. The three men, accused of being members of an international smuggling syndicate, were arrested by the Scorpions in 2006 after the unit intercepted narcotics worth a quarter of a billion rand. Several co-accused including Glenn Agliotti and Clinton Nassif are expected to testify during the trial. Steve Paparas, his elderly father Dimitrio and Lenasia businessman Stanley Poonin are accused of using South Africa as a springboard for a global smuggling network.
The syndicate is believed to have been operating since 1997 and has allegedly successfully made multiple shipments around the world, evading arrest on at least three continents. But it finally crumbled when Scorpions investigators probing the shady network around disgraced tycoon Brett Kebble came across the organisation. The Scorpions have witnesses queuing up to testify against the accused.They've all struck deals with the state accepting lesser sentences in exchange for their evidence. Amongst them is Agliotti, his former colleague Clinton Nassif, a major drugs kingpin Lesley 'Bob the America' Curtis and two South Africans Christian Alblas and Pedro Marques.
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