Cape Town — South African Police Services (SAPS) officers in Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) have seized R1.5 billion worth of drugs in the province since October 2023.
According to TimesLIVE, SAPS spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe aid police in the province have already recorded several cocaine busts at Durban Harbour and King Shaka International Airport’s Dube Tradeport, with the largest consignment seized at the Durban Harbour in December 2023, valued at R115 million.
SAPS’ latest drug bust saw R15 million worth of cocaine seized at Richards Bay port, confiscated from a vessl travelling from Colombia.
#sapsHQ R1,5 Billion worth of drugs seized in KZN since October 2023. National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola has commended #SAPS In KwaZulu-Natal for working hard to prevent and combat the illicit flow of drugs into the country.
In the latest drug bust, a… pic.twitter.com/Uc0YeEneQA
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) April 24, 2024
Mathe said since the launch of Operation Shanela on May 8 2023 to date, 49,851 suspects have been arrested for being in possession of drugs, while 17,798 suspects have been arrested for dealing in drugs.
National commissioner of police Gen Fannie Masemola said police intelligence structures are hard at work.
“Our intelligence is on the ground, our police officers are hard at work on clamping down on the illicit flow of drugs into the country. We are working closely with international law enforcement authorities to detect and dislodge the work of international drug syndicates.” Masemola said.
According to The Citizen, the police ministry handed over three police stations to KZN communities following complaints of non-availability of police services.
Although the Donnybrook Police Station has been operational since 2016, it was officially handed over by the national commissioner on Tuesday. On Monday, Minister of Police Bheki Cele officiated over proceedings at the official handing over of the Gamalakhe Police Station.
#sapsHQ The Donnybrook Police Station has been operational since 2016 and was officially handed over by the National Police Commissioner on Tuesday. On Monday, the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele officiated over proceedings at the official handing over of the Gamalakhe… pic.twitter.com/lvRibsYT2n
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) April 24, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
