Cape Town — The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in KZN secured a court order to preserve a Durban warehouse valued at nearly R30 million.
The NPA’s spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said the AFU had obtained a Preservation of Property Owner from the Durban High Court for a warehouse situated in Riverhorse Valley, Durban, IOL reported.
Ramkisson-Kara reported that the property was valued at R29.7 million and was seized on the basis that it was key in the commission of the offence of manufacturing and dealing drugs.
On 6 March 2024, officials from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) entered the property after it had received information on drug dealing. The investigation led to the discovery of manufacturing paraphernalia and chemicals and waste were found on the property.
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The reports from the police’s Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) found that the exhibits found on the property were similar to that found at the scene of a drug lab.
“The success of this application is due to the joint efforts of the DPCI and the NPA (AFU) in KZN, proving that stakeholder collaboration is key in the fight against crime,” she said.
According to TimesLIVE, the NPA said the warehouse would remain in the custody of a curator pending a forfeiture application, and a criminal investigation is now underway.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
