R30 Million Cannabis Farm Bust in KZN: Police Seize Firearms and Arrest Suspect

Camperdown farm raid uncovers massive cannabis operation

What looked like a quiet farm in Camperdown, KwaZulu-Natal, turned into the centre of a major police operation this week when officers uncovered a cannabis cultivation site valued at around R30 million. A 56-year-old man now faces a string of charges, including drug dealing and unlawful possession of firearms.

The bust was carried out by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, working with Counter Narcotics and the Durban Metro Police Drug Team. Acting on a tip-off, officers moved in on the property and discovered a sprawling setup: 4,165 cannabis plants, 70 buckets of processed cannabis, and equipment linked to large-scale cultivation.

Firearms add a dangerous twist

The discovery didn’t end with cannabis. Police also seized six firearms and over 165 live rounds of ammunition from the farm. Forensic teams have since been called in to test the weapons to see whether they were used in other crimes.

Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, speaking on behalf of the Hawks, confirmed that the suspect will appear in the Camperdown Magistrate’s Court soon. “He will face charges of cultivation and dealing in cannabis, unlawful possession of firearms, and possession of live rounds of ammunition,” Mhlongo said.

Hawks commend the operation

KZN Hawks provincial head, Major General Lesetja Senona, applauded the officers involved, calling the operation an example of proactive policing. “This is the kind of work that protects our communities and disrupts organised crime networks,” he said.

Cannabis in South Africa: between law and reality

The bust comes at a time when South Africa is still grappling with how to regulate cannabis. While the Constitutional Court has ruled that adults may use and cultivate it privately, large-scale farming for profit remains illegal without proper licenses. This grey area has left many farms vulnerable to raids, even as the legal cannabis industry slowly takes shape.

For locals in Camperdown, the bust is both shocking and telling. The area has long been known for its farming activity, but this operation highlights how drug cultivation can hide in plain sight.

Not the first major dagga bust this year

Just last month, Tshwane Metro Police made headlines after intercepting a vehicle on the N1 carrying compressed dagga worth R1.5 million, hidden inside a hollowed-out diesel trailer. That case led to the arrest of two suspects.

Community and social media reaction

News of the Camperdown bust spread quickly online, with South Africans weighing in on the country’s inconsistent cannabis laws. Some questioned whether energy spent on cannabis raids could be better directed at tackling violent crime, while others applauded the seizure of firearms, saying it removed a potential threat to community safety.

{Source: The Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com