KwaZulu-Natal police seized a consignment of cocaine with an estimated street value of more than R80 million at the Port of Durban on Monday.
SAPS spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said in a statement that the cocaine had arrived in the port concealed inside a container.
“Police received information about a vessel which left Brazil at the beginning of November and was carrying pure cocaine which was disguised as kidney beans,” said Netshiunda.
He said police monitored the vessel which called at a foreign port before docking in Durban on 30 November.
“The identified container was taken to a warehouse on South Coast Road in the Bluff area for a proper search.
“During the search, eight bags of crushed pure cocaine were found and, according to the documentation, the shipment was destined for Johannesburg. Investigations are under way to uncover the people behind the drugs.”
KZN Premier Thami Ntuli applauded the police for speedily intercepting the drug consignment.
He also recognised the efforts of Border Management Authority (BMA) officials who are working around the clock to tighten security measures at all ports of entry and borders of the province.
“We commend the excellent work being done by members of various law enforcement agencies to ensure that we close ranks. We are sending a strong message to all criminal syndicates that we are on high alert, we have adopted a zero-tolerance stance against all criminal activity,” said Ntuli.
He said targeted police intelligence-driven operations would be in effect throughout the festive season.
“Our provincial government has called for augmented numbers of police deployed during this period, especially at identified crime hot spots like the Durban Harbour. We are going to clamp down on all crime elements in our province.”
