Kabelo Tlhabanelo
Last year the Hawks confiscated cocaine worth R200 million at the South Coast Harbour in KZN but no arrests were made. Over the weekend, a year later, the same drugs were stolen from the Hawks’ offices in Port Shepstone.
The Hawks say they were still investigating where the drugs, which they were keeping as evidence, came from.
They don’t know when exactly the drugs were stolen.
Spokesperson Brigadier Nomthandazo Mbambo said the cocaine could have been stolen from their offices between 4pm on Friday, 5 November and 7am on Monday, 8 November.
Mbambo said the suspects gained entry into the building by forcing open the windows and one of the safes in the office that is used to store exhibits was broken into.
“The suspects stole 541 kg of cocaine with a street value of R200 million and ransacked the office where the safes are kept,” said Mbambo.
“The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya has appointed the Deputy National Head, Lieutenant General Tebello Constance Mosikili to conduct an inquiry into the circumstances of the theft and the Detective and Forensic Service has been requested to investigate the matter.”
Mbambo said a case of business burglary has been opened and they are searching for the owners of the drugs.
A cop who wished to remain anonymous said it was suspected that the drugs could have been stolen by the owners.
“When the drugs were found in the container, there were no arrests. Clearly the owners were pissed off to lose drugs worth R200 million,” said the cop.
Image source: @TheCitizen
