Saldanha Bay residents speak up about deep-rooted and complex drug activity in the area after authorities successfully pull-off the second-largest drug haul South Africa has ever seen.
973 blocks of compressed cocaine make for the second-biggest drug bust the country has ever seen. In today’s Saldanha Bay drug haul, Police confiscated an estimated R583 million worth of cocaine.
Saldanha Bay being a small harbour with fewer police served as a perfect base for ten foreign nationals to attempt such a huge operation. Four Bulgarians and six from Myanmar are expected to appear at Vredenburg’s Magistrate Court after being arrested on Monday.
Authorities have been eyeballing suspicious activity for the past few weeks, says Gatvol spokesperson Ashraf Schutt. Concerns from local policemen run deep, as foreign workers continue to occupy the working environment at the harbour.
Smuggling is thought of as a longterm establishment, with complex and subtle operations allowing for a build-up of product over months or even years.
The Saldanha Bay community have voiced a collective concern, pleading with authorities to close the harbour and search vessels thoroughly.
Andre Truter, Saldanha Bay Municipality mayoral committee member, hopes that the bust will act as a breakthrough into the source of drug transportation and violence in the community.