PICS | Suspected drug dealer busted with R800k drugs during sting operation in Durban CBD

Cape Town – KwaZulu-Natal Drugs and Firearm Unit recovered R800 000 worth of drugs during a sting operation in Durban CBD on Monday.

This was after the team received information about a foreign national who had reportedly been packaging drugs from a flat on Dr Pixley Ka Seme Street, Durban CBD, police said in a statement.

According to police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala, the team proceeded to the identified flat and a sting operation was successfully executed.

Gwala said the 36-year-old man was arrested in possession of crystal meth, cocaine powder, ecstasy tablets, glass pipes and an undetermined liquid.

“The recovered drugs are valued at R800 000. The suspect was detained for contravention of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, as well as dealing and possession of drugs,” said Gwala.

#sapsKZN Members from KZN Provincial Drug and Firearm Unit arrested a suspect (36) for dealing in drugs at Dr Pixley Ka Seme Street in Durban on 31/10. Crystal meth, cocaine and ecstasy tablets worth an estimated R800 000 seized. #DrugsOffTheStreets NP https://t.co/R4ASEBxcUM pic.twitter.com/62XSHKKvPc

— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) November 1, 2022

The suspect appeared at the Durban Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning.

In a separate incident, the Hawks arrested eight more suspects in connection with a cocaine smuggling case.

The arrests were a result of a joint investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Australian Federal Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation, police said.

The suspects, who were identified as the members of an international drug trafficking organisation who are smuggling cocaine between South Africa and Brazil, were arrested this morning after handing themselves over to the DPCI.

Suspects appeared at the Bellville Magistrates Court on preliminary charges of dealing in drugs.

“Sixteen more targets including an alleged kingpin who is also sought in Belgium have been identified. The investigation is ongoing,” said Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale.