By Levy Masiteng
Police in KwaZulu-Natal are searching for suspects after 32 blocks of cocaine, worth about R13 million, were recovered at Durban Harbour on Tuesday.
The drugs were found concealed inside the air-conditioning compartment of a bus that had been shipped from “a South American country” and was “destined for Gauteng”, according to police.
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The bust followed the recovery of drugs in Gauteng in April, after information indicated that the drugs had entered the country through Durban Harbour.
Intelligence was activated and certain vessels were profiled.
The latest seizure follows another multimillion-rand Durban-area cocaine bust in March, when police arrested a foreign national in Somerset Park after he was allegedly found with nearly 7kg of cocaine, valued at about R8 million.
Police units involved in Tuesday’s harbour operation included members of the Durban Operational Response Services and the Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit.
According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the operation was the result of coordinated intelligence efforts.
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“We acted swiftly on information received and intercepted the consignment,” said Netshiunda.
He said that the investigation is focused on dismantling the syndicate involved in the smuggling operation.
“Investigations are underway to uncover the suspects behind the shipment and those who were meant to receive the drugs in Gauteng Province,” he said.
Investigations are continuing.
