R15m in drugs seized by Hawks in Durban harbour

A MAN has been arrested and about 60kg of crystal methamphetamine (tik) with a street value of about R15 million seized in Durban harbour, the directorate for priority crime investigation (Hawks) said yesterday.

Members of the Hawks drug enforcement bureau seized the drugs on Tuesday, and the 37-year-old suspect was subsequently arrested in Auckland Park, Joburg, after intense undercover operations, Hawks KwaZulu-Natal spokesman Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo said.

The man would be brought to Durban where he was expected to be formally charged when he appeared in the local magistrate’s court tomorrow.

An intelligence-driven operation conducted by members of the Hawks, the SA Revenue Service, and the SAPS operational response service at the Durban harbour container terminal led to the recovery of the drugs and subsequent arrest.

“The drugs were hidden in cargo bags which were mixed with food boxes,” Mhlongo said.

Hawks head Berning Ntlemeza applauded the officers for their excellent work in apprehending the suspect. – ANA