KWAZULU-NATAL – An intelligence driven operation was conducted in the early hours of 22 June 2021 at a container depot on the Avenue East in Isipingo after information of smuggling of drugs into the country was received.

The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team along with the members from Durban Harbour and Crime Intelligence Border Security proceeded to the depot where the container which supposedly had animal food was identified and a search was conducted. Twenty-six canvas bags with Tik Tok and Jaguar brands were found with bricks of cocaine. The drugs weighing 541 kilograms with an estimated value of more than R243 million were confiscated. 

An investigation to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent contraband drugs into our country is continuing.

The National Head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, praised the team about the consignment of drugs uncovered. He also said, “We are closing in on the drug cartels. This drug bust shows that there are organised criminal groupings that are involved in organising the movement of these dangerous dependent producing substances from one country to the other. While fighting the supply of these substances, we appeal to the community not to demand the supply which will ultimately help in closing the market”.

Source: South African Police Service