The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Hawks, says no arrests have been made following the seizure of suspected cocaine at the Port of Durban.

The drugs, weighing approximately 90 kilograms and with an estimated street value of R36 million, were intercepted by South African Revenue Service Customs officials during an inspection of heavy-duty excavation equipment imported from South America.

The Hawks say investigations are ongoing and that the seized exhibits will be sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for chemical analysis.

“Members of the SANEB were alerted by a Customs official, to suspected cocaine concealed within an excavator that had arrived at the Q and R Car Terminal from Santos, Brazil. Upon arrival, the scene was handed over to DPCI members by Customs officials. A thorough inspection of the excavator revealed suspicious packages concealed within a panel leading to the engine compartment. Further examination resulted in the seizure of 47 blocks containing a powdered substance suspected to be cocaine. While the first scene was being processed, Customs officials reported the discovery of a second concealment on another excavator that had already been offloaded from the vessel. A subsequent inspection led to the seizure of an additional 43 blocks of suspected cocaine, explains Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale.

Source link