Cocaine worth R15m seized from South American ship at Richards Bay port
It was indicated the vessel was importing iron to SA and it was also carrying drugs
23 April 2024 - 13:08
byShonisani Tshikalange
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
The vessel was importing iron to South Africa and was also carrying drugs. Picture: SUPPLIED.
Blocks of cocaine worth R15m were seized on Monday at Richards Bay port of entry from a vessel travelling from Colombia.
According to police no arrests have been made and the operation continues.
The seizure was carried out by Hawks members from Richards Bay serious organised crime investigation in collaboration with external stakeholders including the King Cetshwayo district task team, Richards Bay ORS, the local criminal record centre, SA Revenue Service customs, the US Drug Enforcement Agency, Transnet port terminal security and a private security company.
KwaZulu-Natal Hawks spokesperson Lt-Col Simphiwe Mhlongo said the members received information about a vessel travelling from Colombia to Richards Bay port of entry.
“It was indicated the vessel was importing iron to SA and it was also carrying drugs. An enquiry was registered and a disruptive operation was planned. A search was conducted on arrival of the vessel and blocks of cocaine to the street value of R15m were found,” he said.
Mhlongo said a preliminary investigation was conducted and evidence was collected.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Cocaine worth R15m seized from South American ship at Richards Bay port
It was indicated the vessel was importing iron to SA and it was also carrying drugs
Blocks of cocaine worth R15m were seized on Monday at Richards Bay port of entry from a vessel travelling from Colombia.
According to police no arrests have been made and the operation continues.
The seizure was carried out by Hawks members from Richards Bay serious organised crime investigation in collaboration with external stakeholders including the King Cetshwayo district task team, Richards Bay ORS, the local criminal record centre, SA Revenue Service customs, the US Drug Enforcement Agency, Transnet port terminal security and a private security company.
KwaZulu-Natal Hawks spokesperson Lt-Col Simphiwe Mhlongo said the members received information about a vessel travelling from Colombia to Richards Bay port of entry.
“It was indicated the vessel was importing iron to SA and it was also carrying drugs. An enquiry was registered and a disruptive operation was planned. A search was conducted on arrival of the vessel and blocks of cocaine to the street value of R15m were found,” he said.
Mhlongo said a preliminary investigation was conducted and evidence was collected.
TimesLIVE
Top EU court rules Pablo Escobar’s name cannot be trademarked
Ecuador ‘at war’ with drugs gangs behind surge of violence
More than 130 Ecuador prison staff held hostage as military target gangs
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.