A MASSIVE drug syndicate was shut down after police raided a run-down property on Alexander Road in Winston Park, Gillitts on Saturday, 30 November, at approximately 9pm.
According to a police source within the Durban Organised Crime Unit, 19 foreign nationals, aged between 18 and 37, were arrested during the raid, which was a joint operation between the National Crime Intelligence Unit (NCIU) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (OPCI).
Officials have been investigating the syndicate for more than a year, but did not know where they were running their operations until Saturday.
It is alleged that the syndicate has been selling and manufacturing narcotics from the property.
“I was shocked, as the quantity of narcotics found at the property was the most that I have ever seen. We seized 70 000 straws of heroin, 40kgs of powdered heroin and 79 000 mandrax tablets,” said the source.
He also added that while the initial estimated street value of the seized narcotics was R41 million it was actually closer to R50 million.
According to councillor Rick Crouch, of ward 10, the property had been rented by the same individual for the past two and a half years.
Media reports alleged that a South African businessman had been renting the property.
“It illustrates the importance of neighbours being aware of who lives next door to them and taking note of any suspicious activities in their neighbourhood. It is also a wake-up call for the municipality that they cannot simply ignore the complaints of residents regarding unkempt, rundown or abandoned properties.
“Properties in this condition are like a magnet for criminals. I urge all residents to report any nuisance and/or abandoned properties on my web site at www.ward10.co.za/vacant_land_Results.asp. Residents must also report these properties to SAPS so that they are aware of them,” said Crouch.
Lt France Mkhize of Hillcrest SAPS, reported that the arrested men are in custody at the station and are expected to appear in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court soon.
