KwaZulu-Natal police have made a significant breakthrough in the war on drugs with the arrest of a 62-year-old foreign national in possession of nearly 7kg of suspected cocaine worth about R8 million during a targeted operation in Somerset Park.
According to provincial police spokesperson Thenjiswa Ngcobo, police acted on intelligence regarding a man suspected of dealing in drugs and carried out continuous surveillance at the premises where he was believed to be residing. The suspect was spotted just after midnight carrying a backpack at a residential complex on Ilchester Avenue in the Canterbury area of Somerset Park.
How the Arrest Unfolded
The suspect was stopped by the police and upon searching the backpack, a substance suspected to be gold cocaine was found in his possession. Ngcobo added that the substance weighed almost 7kg and had an estimated street value of R8 million. Police also confiscated an undisclosed amount of cash and three cellphones from the suspect during the operation.
Charges and Next Steps
The man was arrested on charges of dealing in drugs and possession of drugs. He is expected to appear before the Durban Magistrates Court on Monday. This arrest comes as a significant blow to the illicit drug trade in KwaZulu-Natal and highlights the efforts of law enforcement to combat this issue.
For more information on the war on drugs in South Africa, visit the South African Police Service website.
Some of the key facts about this case include:
- The suspect is a 62-year-old foreign national
- The substance seized is suspected to be gold cocaine
- The estimated street value of the substance is R8 million
- The suspect was arrested on charges of dealing in drugs and possession of drugs
