Residents of Umhlatuzana say they were startled but not entirely surprised after a major drug bust in the neighbourhood this week, following a lengthy investigation into suspected criminal activity.
Members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, raided a double-storey home on Wednesday after a three-year probe into an alleged drug syndicate operating in the Durban south area.
The specialised unit worked alongside multiple law enforcement agencies to execute coordinated operations across the metro.
During the raid, officers say one of the occupants attempted to dispose of drugs by flushing them down a toilet. Investigators were forced to open a manhole outside the property to retrieve the discarded substances.
Authorities confiscated cocaine and mandrax with an estimated street value of more than R650,000, as well as equipment believed to have been used to manufacture and package drugs.
Community members described a heavy police presence during the operation. One resident, who was walking home from a nearby shop, said police vehicles had surrounded the area.
“What the police are doing is a good thing, cleaning up the area, but we expected something like this to happen,” the resident said.
Another local said the property had long been a source of concern for the community.
South African Police Service spokesperson Brandon Pillay from Bayview said drug dealing remains a persistent problem in the area, with residents often reluctant to speak out due to fears of intimidation or retaliation.
He said operations like the latest raid help restore confidence among residents, particularly those worried about the impact of drugs on young people.
The Hawks confirmed that firearms were also recovered at the property and will undergo ballistic testing as investigations continue.
Police say further arrests have not been ruled out.