Hawks Seize Cocaine Worth R36m Hidden In Excavators At Durban Harbour
Durban Harbour became the centre of a major anti-drug operation after the Hawks seized approximately 90 kilograms of suspected cocaine hidden inside excavators that had arrived from Brazil. Authorities estimate the haul is worth about R36 million (approximately US$2 million), making it one of the significant drug interceptions reported at the port in recent months.
Cocaine Found Hidden Inside Heavy Machinery
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, announced that the seizure took place on 6 June 2026 during a multi-disciplinary operation involving Customs officials, the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB), Durban Visible Policing Operations and the Local Criminal Record Centre.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), investigators were alerted after Customs officials became suspicious of an excavator that had arrived aboard the vessel Neptune Ace Tokyo from Santos, Brazil.
In a statement, SAPS said:
“Members of the SANEB Section attached to Durban SOCI were alerted by a Customs official to suspected cocaine concealed within an excavator that had arrived at the Q and R Car Terminal aboard the vessel Neptune Ace Tokyo from Santos, Brazil.”
Officials then carried out a detailed inspection of the machine.
The statement continued:
“A thorough inspection of the excavator revealed suspicious packages concealed within a panel leading to the engine compartment. Further examination resulted in the seizure of 47 blocks containing a powdered substance suspected to be cocaine.”
Second Excavator Leads To Bigger Discovery
While authorities were still processing the first discovery, Customs officials uncovered another suspected drug concealment on a second excavator that had already been offloaded from the vessel.
The Hawks said:
“A subsequent inspection led to the seizure of an additional 43 blocks of suspected cocaine.”
The second discovery pushed the total seizure to about 90 kilograms.
Authorities estimate the drugs have a street value of roughly R36 million (about US$2 million), based on a valuation of around R400,000 per kilogram.
No arrests had been announced at the time of publication.
Investigation Continues
The seized substances will undergo forensic testing to confirm their composition.
SAPS stated:
“No arrests have been made at this stage, and the matter remains under investigation. The seized exhibits will be transported to the Forensic Science Laboratory for chemical analysis.”
Acting KwaZulu-Natal Hawks Provincial Head Brigadier Zenobia Mulligan said authorities remain committed to disrupting organised crime networks operating across international borders.
She said:
“The DPCI remains committed to disrupting transnational drug trafficking networks and safeguarding South Africa’s ports of entry from organised criminal activities even when their integrity is under scrutiny.”
Investigations into the source and intended destination of the shipment are continuing.