Durban Metro Police, Hawks strike a blow against heroin trafficking in KwaZulu-Natal
The Durban Metro Police, Hawks, Crime Intelligence and private security companies were involved in the operation.
Image: Durban Metro Police / Facebook
A coordinated law enforcement operation has dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking networks operating across KwaZulu-Natal, with the Durban Metro Police Drug Team announcing the dismantling of a heroin distribution operation linked to Ballito, the Durban CBD, and KwaDukuza.
"The Durban Metro Police Drug Team, working jointly with DPCI Port Shepstone and Counter Narcotics KZN CI, has successfully dismantled a drug distribution operation linked to the Ballito, Durban CBD, and KwaDukuza areas," Durban Metro Police stated.
The multi-agency breakthrough followed up on intelligence indicating that a drug delivery was scheduled to take place in Ballito. Acting on this information, officers launched a coordinated surveillance operation.
The items found at an alleged drug manufacturing site in Groutville, KwaDukuza.
Image: Durban Metro Police / Facebook
“Teams received intelligence regarding a planned drug delivery in Ballito. A coordinated operation was launched, and members kept surveillance until a suspect travelling in an e-hailing vehicle was intercepted on the N2 near Umhlanga after collecting drugs intended for distribution in the Durban CBD.”
The arrest of the suspect prompted further investigation, which led officers to a property in Groutville, believed to be the site where the heroin capsules were produced.
“Further investigation led the team to a well-fortified property in Groutville, KwaDukuza, believed to be the supplier’s manufacturing site.”
Inside the premises, suspects attempted to destroy evidence by flushing heroin powder. Despite the effort, a substantial cache of drugs and equipment was recovered. Police confirmed the following items were seized:
“Thousands of heroin capsules; 20,000 empty red-and-white capsules; machinery used in packaging capsules; grinders and drug-processing paraphernalia; a mobile phone; a vehicle used in the commission of the crime; [and] a heroin test kit with positive results.”
The total estimated street value of the recovered items is R635 500.
Both suspects were arrested at separate locations and are currently in detention. Crime scene experts are processing the site, the Metro Police said.
Units involved in the operation included the Durban Metro Police Drug Team, DPCI (Hawks) Port Shepstone, and Counter Narcotics KZN Crime Intelligence, with additional support from external role-players such as Dew Force Security.
Officials highlighted the broader significance of the takedown, noting “this successful operation demonstrates our continued commitment to removing drugs from our communities and disrupting organised criminal networks”.