Drugs bust ship – investigations ongoing

Investigations into a major drug haul at the Durban harbour last week were ongoing as this issue went to press, with police saying they were sure to get to the bottom of the matter. Valued at about R230 million, a total of 230kg of cocaine was found stashed in rucksacks in a cabin of one of the crew members. According to national police spokesman, senior superintendent Vish Naidoo, police received information from their South American counterparts on the ship, which arrived in South Africa last Wednesday. “Organised crime investigators from South America gave us the information. On its arrival in Durban harbour, the vessel was arrested and a major search began.” According to Naidoo the Liberian ship was from a South American port and was only on a stopover in South Africa. “The search took two days and was not easy as no-one on the vessel speaks any English. We, however, kept at it and found a stash of drugs hidden in the cabin of one of the crew members, who has been arrested. Further searching revealed more drugs.” He said it was unknown where the cocaine blocks were from and when they were placed on board. “The ship had stopped at several ports and was still en route to more. We have not yet determined whom the intended market was and how they came to be on board. It has been a difficult investigation so far due to the language barrier. We are in the process of finding an interpreter to help with the translation during the interrogation of the crew.” He said the crew member arrested had been interrogated with the help of the ship’s captain as interpreter, but not much could be gained from him. “He is facing a charge of drug dealing and it is serious. This is a very large consignment of drugs.” According to Naidoo the other crew members are not yet in the clear. “Once we have the interpreter we will interview everyone on board again as part of the ongoing investigation.” When this issue went to press, the South African Revenue Service had not cleared the ship to leave South Africa and it remained arrested until further notice.