Major Drug Busts in Durban and Newcastle: SAPS Seize R770k in Narcotics and Cash

Provincial Unit Cracks Down on Drug Networks

Durban and Newcastle have seen a surge in law enforcement activity this month, as members of the Provincial Drug and Firearm Unit scored major successes against narcotics networks. In two separate operations, officers arrested suspects and recovered hundreds of thousands of rands worth of drugs and cash.

According to SAPS, the operations were the culmination of months of intelligence-gathering aimed at unmasking suppliers distributing narcotics to street-level dealers across KwaZulu-Natal.

#sapsKZN On 25/11, members from the Provincial Drug and Firearm Unit arrested a 23-year-old suspect in Point area for dealing in drugs and recovered large quantity of drugs.

In an earlier operation conducted in Newcastle on 11/11, the Provincial Drugs and Firearm Team arrested… pic.twitter.com/PakGCCpuAP

SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) November 26, 2025

Point, Durban: Hundreds of Pills and Rock Cocaine Seized

The first arrest occurred on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, at a property on Bram Fischer Street in the Point area. During the operation, officers recovered:

• 5,830 capsules of heroin powder

• 4,543 pieces of rock cocaine

• 178 ecstasy tablets

• R157,270 in cash

Police estimate the street value of the seized drugs at R570,000.

A 23-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with dealing in drugs. He appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on 26 November 2025. This bust follows earlier operations by Durban Metro Police, the Hawks, and Crime Intelligence, which dismantled a separate drug distribution network spanning Ballito, Durban CBD, and KwaDukuza.

Newcastle Operation: Repeat Offender Nabbed

Earlier this month, officers conducted another sting in Newcastle, targeting a residence on Starling Street. The suspect, 38-year-old John Onamu, was already out on bail for two prior drug-related offenses when police intercepted him.

During the raid, authorities recovered:

• Rock cocaine

• Crystal meth

• Mandrax tablets

• R17,800 in cash

The total estimated value of the drugs: R200,000. Onamu was arrested, charged with dealing in drugs, and released on bail following his court appearance at the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court.

Community Reaction and Law Enforcement Commentary

Social media reaction to the arrests has been largely supportive, with Durban and Newcastle residents praising the SAPS for targeting organized drug operations that have long plagued communities.

SAPS emphasized that these arrests were part of a broader crackdown on narcotics distribution in KwaZulu-Natal. The Provincial Drug and Firearm Unit continues to monitor and investigate networks supplying street-level dealers, aiming to dismantle operations before they endanger local communities.

A Broader Crackdown on Narcotics in KZN

These two operations highlight how coordinated intelligence and inter-agency collaborationincluding Crime Intelligence, the Hawks, and local policecan successfully disrupt drug networks. Officers stressed that while arrests are significant, ongoing vigilance and community support are crucial to maintaining safe neighborhoods.

Durban and Newcastle residents can expect continued law enforcement focus in high-risk areas as the Provincial Unit ramps up efforts to curb narcotics trafficking in the province.

{Source: IOL}

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