South African police and Durban Port officials have seized cocaine worth R70 million aboard a vessel that arrived in the port from Brazil this week.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said a lengthy intelligence-driven operation led by the police, Durban Port officials and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) in KwaZulu-Natal had culminated in the drug bust on Thursday morning, October 19.
“For the past month, SAPS Durban harbour members have been monitoring and keeping surveillance on a vessel that was making its way to South Africa from Brazil,” Mathe said in a statement.
“Prior to the vessel arriving at the port, members intercepted the identified vessel and mobilised various units and resources to conduct a search and seize operation on the identified containers.”
Police searched the containers and seized 200 blocks of cocaine valued at R70 million, hidden inside 20 litre paint containers.
Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, attended the scene of the drug bust where he commended the team’s work.
“We will continue to stamp the authority of the state, we are strengthening our response and our strategy in dealing with these syndicates,” Cele said.
National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola said the National Safer Festive Season Operations were gaining momentum.
“This is only the beginning of our safer festive operations.
“Just last week we confiscated R75 million worth of counterfeit goods in Cape Town.
“We will continue to intercept these illicit activities throughout the country,” he said.
“We are heightening and intensifying our fight against crime, especially organised crime syndicates. This particular investigation will focus on the origin and destination of the drugs to ensure we affect arrests,” Masemola said.
