The pure cocaine seized from the South American vessel.
Image: SAPS
The South African Revenue Service (SARS), working alongside the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), has dealt a significant blow to the illicit drug trade after seizing 30 bricks of pure cocaine at the Port of Durban.
The multi-million-rand narcotics bust, intercepted on Tuesday from a container vessel originating in South America, marks the second major drug haul at the KwaZulu-Natal port in less than a week.
This operation follows another major cocaine seizure just three days earlier, when authorities intercepted approximately 90kg of cocaine concealed in excavators arriving from Brazil. Law enforcement agencies warn that transnational organised crime syndicates are increasingly targeting South Africa's maritime trade gateways.
In a joint statement released by SARS and the Hawks, the agencies said the operations point to intensified efforts by organised crime syndicates to move narcotics through South Africa's trade gateways, matched by a coordinated and firm response from law enforcement.
“The interception forms part of ongoing collaborative efforts between SARS and other international law enforcement agencies to combat illicit trade and transnational organised crime. Through intelligence-led risk profiling and targeting methodologies, a container vessel originating from South America was identified for inspection upon arrival at Durban Harbour,” the authorities said.
The Durban Customs team boarded the vessel and located the container below the waterline. During the inspection process, officials identified signs that parts of the container apparatus had been tampered with. This prompted a more intrusive inspection, which led to the detection of concealed narcotics. A mobile test kit confirmed the substance to be 30 bricks of pure cocaine.
The consignments were identified through intelligence-led profiling and risk assessment by SARS Customs officers. Targeted inspections, supported by detector dogs and on-site verification, led to the detection and recovery of concealed drugs. SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu and acting national head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Sphesihle Nkosi, highlighted the strength of coordinated enforcement across agencies.
“This is what it means to act as one government. SARS and the Hawks are cooperating, with one acting on the information and handing it over to the Hawks as part of a single value chain. These interceptions show that we are disrupting and closing down the space for criminal networks to operate. We are strengthening monitoring at our ports through improved cargo profiling and targeted inspections. Our message is clear: South Africa’s borders are not open to illicit trade,” Dr Makhubu said.
“Drugs are destroying families, communities and the country as a whole. This is not a localised problem; it cuts across every sector of society. We will continue to act with our partners to dismantle these networks and protect our economy and our people,” Dr Makhubu added.
Lieutenant General Nkosi said the results point to focused cooperation between agencies.
“These successes are the result of disciplined cooperation. When we pool our capabilities, we are better able to detect, intercept and investigate complex criminal operations. Drug trafficking is not only a law enforcement issue; it is a national threat. It fuels violence, weakens communities and harms our children,” he said.
“We will pursue those responsible wherever they operate, both locally and across borders, and hold them accountable. Law enforcement is working as a single front to strengthen our response. Those who traffic drugs into this country will be identified, tracked and acted against,” Lieutenant General Nkosi added.
The recent seizures form part of a broader effort by authorities to dismantle organised criminal networks and protect legitimate trade.
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