Media Statement from KwaZulu Natal Media Centre

Corporate Communication

South African Police Service

18 April 2013

This morning, 18 April at 10:00, the Chatsworth Cluster Crime Intelligence Unit held a joint operation together with Durban Organised Crime Unit and the South African Police Forensics Unit. Prior to the operation, intelligence was gathered by officers from the Chatsworth Cluster Crime Intelligence Unit, SAPS undercover agents where they purchased drugs from an alleged drug dealer in Hunter Street, Durban. One suspect, a Nigerian National (30) was arrested at Hunter Street and charged for dealing in Rock Cocaine. Police seized cocaine, crack cocaine, ecstasy tablets and pure heroin powder to the street value of more than eighty thousand rand. The arrested suspect will appear in the Durban Magistrates' Court on 19 April 2013 for dealing in drugs.  

Provincial commissioner, Lt General Mmammonye Ngobeni stated that crime has a big influence on every individual's life. It is important for the police to be ahead of the criminals when it comes to planning operations. We remain confident of defeating the scourge of drugs in the area because we have the support of the community members who are tired of drugs in their areas. I am of the view that this interaction with the community is a vital part as this type of engagement is the key in ensuring that we all work together to remain safe and secure in our communities. Informers are essential and play an integral part of intelligence driven operations. Intelligence gathering is an important cornerstone to be effective with undercover police operations. The drug trade is a concern, especially because it involved international syndicates.

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Media Enquiries:

Captain Thulani Zwane

083 539 5726

KwaZulu-Natal: Media Centre

South African Police Service

Corporate Communication

031 325 6083/6084/6085

031 325 6087

kzn.mediacentre@saps.gov.za