PICS | KwaZulu-Natal police dismantle major drug syndicate in Umzinto

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Organized Crime Narcotics officers have arrested three individuals, two foreign nationals and a local woman, in connection with an extensive drug syndicate discovered in Umzinto on Friday.

Following months of intelligence-gathering, officers focused on a key suspect, a man from a West African country. He, along with his South African girlfriend and an accomplice from a Central African country, were believed to be at the helm of operations that targeted young adults in Umzinto and its surrounding areas, allegedly destroying their lives through the distribution of narcotics.

"The police successfully obtained search warrants, allowing them to disrupt this dangerous syndicate. Just before the break of dawn on Friday, the primary suspect was intercepted while driving his vehicle, leading to a swift search that uncovered a stash of crystal meth concealed beneath the driver's seat," said provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda.

Further investigation revealed an undisclosed sum of money, suspected to be the proceeds of illicit drug deals, which was also seized.

Authorities then moved to the suspect's residence in Malangeni, where they recovered a disturbing assortment of drugs hidden under the bed.

This find initiated a spiral of investigations that led officers to the suspect's girlfriend's home, where she was apprehended with cocaine, crack cocaine, and additional crystal meth.

The operation culminated at the residence of the third suspect, located on Nelson Mandela Road, where police made a staggering discovery, almost 5,000 heroin capsules alongside nearly 800g of heroin powder.

This substantial haul added to the estimated total value of the drugs recovered, which stands at an alarming R1.6 million.

Following a thorough processing of the suspects, all three will face charges in the Scottburgh Magistrate's Court, marking a pivotal step in the fight against drug trafficking in KwaZulu-Natal.

IOL