Durban — An alleged manufacturer is expected to appear in court today after he was caught red-handed processing crack cocaine.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo said that on Friday Hawks members from Port Shepstone’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit working with the Durban Metro Police Drug Team arrested a 34-year-old suspect for manufacturing drugs in the Mount Edgecombe area, north of Durban.
Mhlongo said police had received information about a suspect who was manufacturing drugs in the area. An intelligence-driven operation was conducted. They proceeded to the premises and the suspect was caught red-handed processing crack cocaine.
“He was subsequently placed under arrest and charged accordingly. During the search, pieces of crack cocaine, full moon blocks, half-moon blocks, quarter moon blocks, pure cocaine powder, crushed crack cocaine, and miracle powder to the street value of approximately R563 500 were seized,” Mhlongo said.
“Various drug paraphernalia including scales, sealers, scissors, cutting blades, packaging material, bottles and cooking pots were confiscated.”
Mhlongo said that the suspect was expected to appear in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court today.
Major-General Leseja Senona welcomed the arrest.
“It is highly appreciated that our members dismantled this laboratory with an arrest and they will continue to search for more,” Senona said.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, police officers from the Organised Crime Investigation and Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant on a suspected drug laboratory in Ngudwini, in the Sundumbili policing precinct.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said police stormed the premises and discovered that the suspects had fled, leaving their machines running.
“A large quantity of raw materials suspected to be used in the manufacture of drugs as well as tablets suspected to be mandrax were found on the scene. Packing materials, two electrical grinding machines, a drying oven, an electric compressing machine, a truck with a secret compartment as well as other equipment were also discovered. The drugs and raw materials are estimated to be valued at millions of rand,” Naicker said.
Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said: “We are very pleased with this breakthrough as this means that a large consignment of these drugs will be removed off our streets. The investigation will be handed over to the Hawks and we hope that the perpetrators will be brought to book.”
Daily News