A concerted effort by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) law enforcement units resulted in the successful Isipingo cocaine bust that must have dealt drug cartels a huge ‘blow’.
In a statement, Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase revealed details of how an intelligence-driven operation executed at the Avenue East in Isipingo, on Tuesday morning, led to one of the largest cocaine busts in South African history.
Isipingo cocaine bust: How police pulled it off
From what we understand, police were tipped off about a large consignment of cocaine that was scheduled to be shipped into the Avenue East depot, in the wee hours of Tuesday.
“The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team along with the members from Durban Harbour and Crime Intelligence Border Security proceeded to the depot where the container which supposedly had animal food was identified and a search was conducted,” Lt. Col Nkwalase revealed.
Turns out, the container held 26 canvas bags bizarrely wrapped in TikTok and Jaguar-branded paper. Inside, a white powdery substance later confirmed as cocaine was discovered.
The total weight of the consignment stood at 541kg with a street value of R243 million.
While the large cocaine shipment was successfully intercepted and prevented from infiltrating the streets, those responsible are still at large.
“We are closing in on the drug cartels. This drug bust shows that there are organised criminal groupings that are involved in organising the movement of these dangerous dependent producing substances from one country to the other. While fighting the supply of these substances, we appeal to the community not to demand the supply which will ultimately help in closing the market,” National Head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya said.