The Hawks, working with the US Drug Enforcement Agency and a multi-disciplinary team, swooped on a consignment of R15 million-worth of cocaine aboard a vessel at the Port of Richards Bay on Monday.
KwaZulu Natal Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, said officers from the Richards Bay Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, working together with external stakeholders, including the King Cetshwayo District Task Team, South African Revenue Services Customs, US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Transnet Port Terminal Security and others, had seized the drugs following a tip-off.
“Members received information about a vessel that was travelling from Colombia to Richards Bay Port of Entry. It was indicated that the vessel was importing iron to South Africa and was also carrying drugs,” said Mhlongo.
“An enquiry was registered and a disruptive operation was planned. A search was conducted upon arrival of the vessel and during the search blocks of cocaine to the street value of R15 million were found.”
He said the police had conducted a preliminary investigation and evidence was collected.
“No arrest has been made at this stage; the operation continues,” said Mhlongo.
KwaZulu Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) Provincial Head, Major General (Dr) Lesetja Senona, welcomed the seizure of the drugs.
“The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation would like to thank all role players that participated in this operation especially the external stakeholders who ensured that these drugs are not landing in the streets of this country. We will continue to work together with other internal stakeholders to track and trace the perpetrators involved in this drug trafficking,” said Senona.
