Law enforcement officers in KwaZulu-Natal intercepted a shipment of pure cocaine worth over R80 million at Durban Harbour on Monday, December 2, 2024. The drugs were hidden in a container disguised as kidney beans.
Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the bust was the result of an intelligence-driven operation. Police had tracked the vessel, which departed from Brazil in early November, after receiving credible information about its illicit cargo. The ship, which made a stop in another country before arriving in South Africa, docked at Durban Harbour on Saturday, November 30.
Following its arrival, the identified container was transported to a warehouse on South Coast Road, Bluff, for a thorough inspection. “During the search, eight bags of crushed pure cocaine were found,” said Colonel Netshiunda. Documentation indicated the shipment was destined for Johannesburg.
Investigations are ongoing to identify the syndicate behind the drug trafficking.