S. African Authorities Confiscate 706 Kg of Cocaine Hidden in a Boxship

South African authorities have confiscated 706 kilos of cocaine hidden at the bottom of a 30-story containership in the Port of Ngqura, Coega Harbour, African News Agency informed.

Estimated street value of the contraband, which was concealed below more than 3,669 containers, is R 720 million (USD 51 million). The name of the vessel in question was not disclosed.

The drugs, stored in 60 containers, were seized on Monday, January 7. The ship, however, was allowed to resume its voyage, as it has been determined that neither the crew nor the shipowner were involved in the drug trafficking. There have been no arrests made in relation with the case.

The drugs were sniffed out by a drug detection canine as part of a joint operation of the Directorate of Priority Crime (Hawks) and Interpol. As informed, the drugs originated from Brazil and were destined for India.

World Maritime News Staff