Cocaine with an estimated value of R14 million was intercepted and recovered at Ngqura Port of entry on 29 January.
According to Captain Khaya Tonjeni, police spokesperson, the recovery of this illicit contraband followed after the shipping master was informed by the ship technician of an illegal parcel on the ship.
“The technician noticed during his routine inspection that the mentioned container had a problem in circulating cold temperature to ensure that the food is kept fresh for the remainder of the trip. While attending to the problem the technician discovered unknown parcels in the mentioned container.
“The incident was reported to Port of Ngqura law enforcement unit for the necessary attention on 30 January 2021. Police profiled the foreign boxes and detained the container for further physical inspection by Border Security,” Tonjeni said.
During the profilling it was discovered that the container was from Brazil enroute to China and as a result there were no individuals who could be profilled and charged for the contents of the suspicious parcel.
“All role players were informed and invited accordingly for the operation including Transnet Security Managers, DPCI Customs, Home Affairs, Port Health, Crime Intelligence. During the inspection of the vessel the suspicious parcels were found and positively confirmed to be drugs.
“At least thirty blocks of compressed cocaine with an estimated street value R14.1 million were confiscated. An enquiry was opened at Swartkops SAPS and is currently under investigation. No one has been arrested yet.”
Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga commended the members for the drug haul. “Drugs continue to destroy lives, families and a lot of young people. Through this recovery, a lot of lives were saved,” she added.
