Cocaine worth R70m found hidden in paint containers seized

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A police operation conducted at a Durban Harbour in KwaZulu-Natal has led to a drug bust of cocaine worth R70 million on Wednesday.

20 litre paint containers were seized after 200 blocks of cocaine were found stashed inside.

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, for the past month, SAPS Durban harbour members have been monitoring and keeping surveillance on a vessel that was making its way to South Africa from Brazil.

“Prior to the vessel arriving at the Port of Durban, members intercepted the identified vessel and mobilised various units and resources to conduct a search and seize operation on the identified containers.”

Police minister General Bheki Cele has commended the investigative work of the men and women in blue.

“We will continue to stamp the authority of the state, we are strengthening our response and our strategy in dealing with these syndicates”, said Minister Cele.

National police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola said the National Safer Festive Season Operations are gaining momentum.

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“This is only the beginning of our safer festive operations. Just last week we confiscated R75 million worth of counterfeit goods in Cape Town.

“We will continue to intercept these illicit activities throughout the country and are heightening and intensifying our fight against crime especially, organised crime syndicates,” he stated.

Masemola added that this particular investigation will focus on the origin and destination of the drugs to ensure we effect arrests.