Around R80 million worth of cocaine was seized in Durban on Monday, KwaZulu-Natal police said.
The consignment of drugs was found in a container at the Durban Harbour.
Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said the cocaine seized was still pure and the container left Brazil in November.
“Police received information about a vessel which left Brazil at the beginning of November and was carrying pure cocaine which was disguised as kidney beans,” Netshiunda said.
“The vessel, which came to South Africa via another country, was monitored until Saturday, November 30, 2024, when it docked at the Durban Harbour. The identified container was taken to a warehouse on South Coast Road in the Bluff area for a proper search.”
The shipment was destined for Johannesburg, and to date, no arrests have been made.
“During the search, eight bags of crushed pure cocaine were found and according to the documentation, the shipment was destined for Johannesburg. Investigations are underway to uncover the people behind the drugs,” Netshiunda said.
In a separate incident, police arrested two suspects in the Western Cape for the possession of abalone.
Police said members of the Maitland Flying Squad in Cape Town received information about a vehicle travelling along the N2 with abalone.
The vehicle was spotted near Khayelitsha and when officers tried to pull it over the driver sped off resulting in a chase.
The vehicle and occupants were searched and 13 bags of abalone with an estimated street value of R1.3 million were found inside the vehicle.
The suspects, aged 32 and 39, are expected to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court soon.
IOL