BY: LETHABO MATHOLE
Cocaine blocks worth R15 million were seized at the Richards Bay Port of Entry in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday.
A spokesperson for the Hawks Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo says members received intel about a vessel, importing iron to South Africa that was travelling from Columbia to Richards Bay with drugs on board.
According to Mhlongo members received information about a vessel that was traveling from Columbia to Richards Bay Port of Entry. It was indicated that the vessel was importing iron to South Africa, and it was also carrying drugs.
An enquiry was registered, and a disruptive operation was planned. “A search was conducted upon arrival of the vessel and during the search blocks cocaine to the street value of R15 million were found,” he added.
Mhlongo added that there have not been any arrests at the stage and that operation continues. Hawks Provincial head General Dr Lesetja Senona praised the seizure of the drugs.
The KwaZulu-Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head, Major General (Dr) Lesetja Senona welcomed the seizure of the drugs.
“Hawks would like to thank all role players that participated in this operation especially the external stakeholders who ensured that these drugs are not landing in the streets of this country, we will continue to work together with other internal stakeholders to track and trace the perpetrators involved in this drug trafficking”, he said.
