DURBAN – The South African Revenue Service (SARS), in close collaboration with the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation), has intercepted 30 bricks of pure cocaine aboard a container vessel at the Port of Durban, the second major drug seizure at the port in just three days.
The latest bust follows a haul on Tuesday, during which approximately 90 kg of cocaine, concealed in trucks arriving from Brazil, was intercepted at the same port. Together, the operations point to escalating attempts by organised crime syndicates to exploit South Africa’s trade gateways and an equally intensified response from law enforcement.
Acting on intelligence-led risk profiling, SARS Customs officers identified a container vessel originating from South America for inspection on its arrival at Durban. A team boarded the vessel and located the targeted container, which was positioned below the waterline.
During the inspection officials noticed signs of tampering with parts of the container apparatus. A more thorough search followed, leading to the discovery of the concealed narcotics. A mobile testing kit confirmed the substance as pure cocaine, 30 bricks in total.
The street value of the cocaine is estimated at R12 million.
“South Africa’s borders are not open to illicit trade,” declared SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu.
Acting National Head of the Hawks, Lt-Gen Sphesihle Nkosi, credited the results to seamless inter-agency cooperation.
“This is what it means to act as one government,” said Makhubu. “SARS and the Hawks are cooperating seamlessly, with one agency acting on intelligence and handing over to the other as part of a single value chain. These interceptions demonstrate we are disrupting and closing down the space for criminal networks to operate. Our message is clear: South Africa’s borders are not open to illicit trade.
ALSO READ: Hawks seize cocaine worth R36m. concealed in excavator at Durban harbour
“Drugs are destroying families, communities and the country as a whole. This is not a localised problem, it cuts across every sector of society. We will continue to work with our partners to dismantle these networks and protect our economy and our people.”
Nkosi echoed the sentiment, warning that traffickers would be pursued regardless of where they operate.
“These successes are the result of disciplined cooperation. When we pool our capabilities, we are better able to detect, intercept and investigate complex criminal operations. Drug trafficking is not only a law-enforcement issue; it is also a national threat. It fuels violence, weakens communities and harms our children. Those who traffic drugs into this country will be identified, tracked and brought to book.”
The seizures form part of a sustained effort by SARS and its local and international law-enforcement partners to combat illicit trade and transnational organised crime. The agency said it will continue to strengthen controls at all ports of entry and work to dismantle organised criminal networks while safeguarding legitimate trade and South African communities.
ALSO READ: Multi-million rand worth of cocaine seized on Midrand plot
