R20-Million Cocaine Bust in Midrand

A R20-million worth of cocaine was busted at a small holding in Midrand, this was after a collaboration of Gauteng Organised Crime Unit, SAPS JHB K9, and members of the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) led by Crime Intelligence Head Office followed following a tip of drugs that were being stored at a plot in Blue Hills.

According to reports, the drugs were brought into South Africa from a neighbouring country and were destined for Cape Town, Western Cape.

Police National spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, said that the cocaine was found hidden in a storage room on the identified plot, and an arrest has been made.

“A 56-year-old man who is believed to be the owner of the plot has been arrested, and the cocaine, weighing about 80kg, has been seized.

“The suspect is expected to appear before the Midrand Magistrate’s Court later on this week, on a possible charge of possession of drugs as well as dealing in drugs,” she said.

According to The Citizen, in June this year, the Gauteng police arrested a Nigerian national on arrival from São Paulo, en route to Nigeria.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the drug trafficker landed at 7:00 am when he was intercepted by police officers at the airport.

“A medical x-ray confirmed that he had ingested more than 70 drug ‘bullets’ suspected to contain cocaine.”

Police officers intercepted a second drug trafficker shortly after she landed at 06:15am from São Paulo.

Three more drug traffickers were intercepted later in the month.