Drug Bust: Now police seize R400m cocaine hidden in ski-boat
Police swooped on a suspect and seized almost a tonne of cocaine that was being transported in the hull of a boat along the N1.
A joint police operation led to the arrest of a 39-year-old drug suspect, who was caught transporting almost a tonne of cocaine worth R400 million, hidden in a the hull of a ski-boat.
Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, said more arrests of suspects linked to the case were imminent.
Mogale said police had swooped on the suspect who was travelling on the N1 north near the R21 Flying saucer interchange on Wednesday. The arrest followed an investigation by a multi-disciplinary team comprising of the South African Narcotic Enforcement Bureau (SANEB Head Office), Pretoria Serious Organised Crime, the Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) of the Hawks with the assistance of the SAPS Crime Intelligence head office.
“It is alleged that a bakkie that was towing a 12-foot ski-boat was stopped after information was received. Upon searching the boat the team found 800kg of compressed pure cocaine with an estimated street value of R400 million. Investigations are continuing and more arrests are imminent,” Mogale said.
Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation National Head, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, applauded the team for the successful investigation.
”Today’s drug seizure has dealt a blow to these illegal activities, let us not leave any stone unturned in addressing the proliferation of illegal drugs within the country,” Lebeya said.
