R2-billion drug bust in Gillitts
ONE of the biggest drug labs to be discovered in the province was raided by the SAPS last night during a joint operation in Gillitts.
The Umhlali K9 Unit, the Umhlali Task Team, the Phoenix Crime Intelligence Unit and the Tactical Response Team joined forces to expose and uncover the drug lab. Three men between the ages of 23 and 56 years old were arrested.
According to Captain Thulani Zwane, media spokesman for the KZN SAPS, the team from the Phoenix Crime Intelligence Unit were acting on information they received on a drug lab operating in the area.
“After gathering enough intelligence, the team decided to operationalise the information. Relevant units were called for back up,” said Zwane. The officers then swarmed the Gillitts house.
“Upon searching the premises, they found three men and they also discovered many bags, each weighing 40kgs, of pure heroine as well as industrial manufacturing machines, scales and containers. The total estimated value is over R2billion,” said Zwane.
The three arrested men were charged with the manufacturing of drugs and will appear at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Thursday 26 June.
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Commissioner Mmamonnye Ngobeni, applauded the teams for the excellent work of cracking this drug nest.
“As we had promised we are reaching the kingpins behind the drug trade in KZN. We will continue to expose those that live in the lap of luxury and profit from the misery of ordinary citizens. Our detectives will continue with this investigation until everyone involved in this cartel is behind bars,” she said.
