R36 million cocaine haul seized at Durban Harbour in drug bust
Based on an estimated value of R400 000 per kilogram, the drugs have an estimated street value of R36 million.
Law enforcement officers have made another significant drug bust at the Durban Harbour on Saturday.
A joint operation led by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), through the Serious Organised Crime Investigation’s (SOCI) South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB), together with Customs, the Durban Visible Policing Operations (VPO), and the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) seized about 90 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of R36 million.
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SANEB section members were alerted by a customs official to suspected cocaine concealed within an excavator that had arrived at the Q and R Car Terminal aboard the vessel Neptune Ace Tokyo from Santos, Brazil.
Hawks acting provincial head Brigadier Zenobia Mulligan said upon arrival, the scene was handed over to DPCI members by customs officials, and this was followed by a thorough inspection of the excavator, which revealed suspicious packages concealed within a panel leading to the engine compartment.
“Further examination resulted in the seizure of 47 blocks containing a powdered substance suspected to be cocaine,” said Mulligan in a statement.
“While the first scene was being processed, customs officials reported the discovery of a second concealment on another excavator that had already been offloaded from the vessel.”
A subsequent inspection led to the seizure of an additional 43 blocks of suspected cocaine.
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She said in total, about 90 kilograms of suspected cocaine were seized, and based on an estimated value of R400 000 per kilogram, the drugs have an estimated street value of R36 million.
No arrests have been made at this stage, and the matter remains under investigation.
The seized exhibits will be transported to the Forensic Science Laboratory for chemical analysis.
Mulligan applauded the multi-disciplinary team for their alertness and dedication.
“The DPCI remains committed to disrupting transnational drug trafficking networks and safeguarding South Africa’s ports of entry from organised criminal activities, even when their integrity is under scrutiny,” she said.
The DPCI will continue executing their mandate with fear or favour.
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Last month, cocaine worth about R13 million was recovered during an intelligence-driven operation at the harbour.
During that operation, 32 blocks of suspected cocaine were recovered concealed in the air conditioning compartment of a bus.
The buses were shipped from a South American country and were destined for Gauteng province, according to the police.
