A 37-year-old man was arrested on Friday after heroin and equipment worth an estimated R4m was seized from a rented residence in Zimbali Wedge.

The drug haul was seized on Friday during an intelligence driven operation led by the Hawks’ Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) together with Crime Intelligence, Durban Metro Police Drug Task Team and Shongweni K9.

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The Hawks had received a tip-off about drugs from overseas that were allegedly being kept and distributed from an unoccupied upmarket townhouse.

“The suspect was renting another townhouse not from away the alleged stash house while using the other apartment as a storage facility,” said Hawks spokesperson, Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo.

The man was spotted entering the rented premises.

Captain Mhlongo said the alleged drug dealer put up a fight but was unable to escape.

During the search of the house the team managed to seize 16 kilograms of heroin powder, cash, other paraphernalia and machinery totaling at least R4 million.

The team proceeded to the man’s other houses in Umhlanga and Mount Edgecombe, but nothing was found.

The accused is due to appear in the Umhlali Magistrates’ Court on Monday on charges of dealing and possession of drugs.

*Correction: The headline and some text were corrected to accurately reflect the location of where the bust took place. The report previously mentioned Zimbali however, it has been amended to Zimbali Wedge.