Drugs worth R500m seized at Durban harbour
Half a billion rand worth of drugs were seized at Durban harbour on Friday in an operation by the Hawks.
This takes the total amount of cocaine seized since March to more than four tons.
Hawks’ spokesperson Katlego Mogale says a total of 999 bricks of cocaine, weighing 1000kgs with a street value of R500 million, were seized.
“The container was reported to be containing truck parts destined for SCANIA South Africa. The team proceeded to the said premises and established that border police's initial investigations revealed that it would be a 'Rip on/Rip Off' situation, where the drugs would be removed from the container clandestinely and the container seal replaced.
“A subsequent search was conducted and upon searching the container, several black canvas bag wrapped in plastic were placed at the entrance of the container. Upon further investigation, it was established that the container was packed with cocaine bricks contained in the black canvas bags.
No arrests have been made.
Mogale says the origin of all of these consignments is the Port of Santos in Brazil.
“This case is believed to be linked to similar drug seizures on 9 July 2021 of 715 kgs in Aeroton, coming from Durban Port, also guided as Scania truck parts. During the seizure of the said consignment, four suspects were arrested including three police officials.
“Two more seizures were executed at a Depo in Isipingo, Durban and an even larger seizure in Gauteng where four suspects were arrested.”
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