DRUG ‘KINGPINS’ HELD IN DURBAN RAID
Police minister part of swoop
KZN police cracked one of the biggest drug networks in Phoenix, north-west of Durban, arresting three “kingpins” operating from a home fronted by a beauty parlour.
A man, his wife and his brother were arrested for dealing in drugs on Thursday.
About 24 hours later, accompanied by Police Minister Fikile Mbalula, police returned to the house and arrested a 19-year-old woman in possession of drugs.
About R100 000 worth of drugs were recovered, along with cash and firearms.
“There was no waxing and toning on offer in this place,” said Mbalula, who was present when police cordoned off the house as a crime scene, and were gathering evidence.
The Phoenix house was one of two buildings Mbalula visited yesterday, with the aim of uncovering drug dens.
Curious neighbours peered over walls and excitedly greeted Mbalula, saying they were happy to see him there.
Police swooped on the house after receiving tip-offs, and a multi-unit team, including the provincial organised crime unit, national intervention unit, and eThekwini Metro police, carried out the operation in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The syndicate is believed to have networks in the drug trade across the country.
“The members recovered 80 rock cocaine pieces, 30 mandrax tablets, three bags with cocaine, ecstasy and dagga.
“The total value of the recovered drugs is R80 000. Cash of R97 000, suspected to be the proceeds of drugs, was also confiscated. The suspected owner of the house assaulted a police officer during the raid and resisted arrest. Three firearms were also confiscated from the suspect,” said KZN police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala.
The suspects will be charged with dealing in drugs, failing to safeguard firearms, assault, crimen injuria and resisting arrest.
When police visited the scene again, they recovered more drugs, valued at R20 000.
“A 19-year-old woman was arrested after she was found in possession of drugs which consist of heroin, rock cocaine and mandrax. She will appear in court next week facing charges of dealing in drugs,” said Gwala.
Altogether, eight people were arrested in the raid, with some of the suspects believed to be bodyguards for the family.
Mbalula said he wanted his officers to bring down drug dens.
“I see the impact of drugs on the streets. We have nyaope and all these drugs… we don’t want them, they are contaminating our youth. These kingpins were well known in terms of drug distribution.
“We are doing our job of exorcising the contamination of drugs in our societies, we will smoke them out. Nobody is above the law… kingpins will be brought to book,” he said.
A source close to the investigation said the suspects were well known for their trade in drugs, and other related activities, and were part of a gang that ruled over their drug territory using threats and intimidation.
Umesh Singh, chairman of the Phoenix community policing forum, welcomed the arrests. “Every effort helps when it comes to stopping the flow of drugs. We know that drug use is on the increase in Phoenix, and most crimes we see are drug-related.
“Even petty theft, such as theft of laptops and cellphones, is often a result of users needing money to buy drugs.
“We urge community members to report what’s happening. We are also seeing a change where communities are tired of what’s going on, and are organising themselves to tackle some of the problems. We must do all we can to reduce the drug trade,” he said.
Soon after the Phoenix house was closed off as a crime scene, Mbalula and officers pounced on a building in the Point area, just off Mahatma Gandhi (Point) Road.
Police confirmed that two people were arrested for drug dealing, five people were found to have no legal documents to be in the country, and one person was arrested for dealing in fake cigarettes.
Earlier this week, the Hawks in Port Shepstone, south of Durban, and the National Intervention Unit raided six clandestine laboratories and arrested seven suspects.
The two-year operation focused on Port Shepstone, Hibberdene and Margate, and resulted this week in the seizure of more than 4 000 dagga plants with a street value of more than R26 million.
“On Wednesday, members swooped on the farms and houses where suspects were caught processing dagga. Investigations revealed that the syndicate was allegedly responsible distributing the dagga in KZN and Gauteng.
“The suspects’ houses and farms were utilised for this illicit trade,” said Hawks Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo.