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Cocaine Worth R56 Million Seized on Ship off KwaZulu-Natal Coast

Published

14 hours ago

September 5, 2025

Chiraag

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A dramatic drug bust unfolded off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal this week when authorities intercepted a ship carrying cocaine valued at R56 million. The seizure adds to mounting concerns about South Africa’s ports being targeted by international drug syndicates.

A Ship Stopped in its Tracks

Customs officials, acting on intelligence, intercepted the cargo ship about four nautical miles from Durban. Escorted into harbour by a marine patrol vessel, the ship was boarded by inspectors on Wednesday. Containers flagged as high risk had already been singled out before their arrival, allowing authorities to move quickly.

Inside refrigeration units, investigators found 25 large bricks of cocaine. A field test confirmed the haul was of exceptionally high quality, fit for dilution and widespread distribution on the illicit market.

International Trail from Brazil

The South African Revenue Service (Sars) confirmed the contraband was traced back to Brazil. The operation, codenamed Operation Irene, involved coordination between Sars and Brazilian authorities. Commissioner Edward Kieswetter described the success as proof of effective collaboration within Brics countries in fighting organised crime.

Not the First Bust

This latest discovery comes only months after another multimillion-rand cocaine seizure in Cape Town. In June, police arrested a 40-year-old man with 15 bricks of cocaine worth R18 million. That raid also uncovered a cache of weapons, including an AK-47, pistols, and a Uzi submachine gun.

These incidents highlight how South Africa’s harbours and storage hubs have become pressure points in the international drug trade. Durban and Cape Town, both strategic entry ports, appear to be central to smuggling attempts routed from South America.

A Warning Sign

For South Africans, the bust raises the alarm about how deeply organised crime networks are probing local systems. While R56 million worth of cocaine has been removed from circulation, it is also a reminder of the lucrative scale of this underground economy. Authorities say sustained international partnerships will be critical in keeping such operations from slipping through.