Shaka’s Head heroin plant bust

Five Zimbabwean nationals were among eight men arrested during a major drug bust in Shaka’s Head, near Ballito, on Thursday afternoon where heroin with an estimated street value of R17 million was seized.

The Hawks and members of the Chatsworth cluster crime intelligence unit pounced on the syndicate where they were busy manufacturing drugs inside business premises turned heroin packaging laboratory, putting an abrupt stop to their illegal dealings.

A search of the improvised laboratory in Acacia Business Park turned up 26 kilograms of heroin powder and 14 kilograms of uncut heroin, hidden in different compartments inside the premises.

Police also discovered R1 million worth of heroine production equipment.

The white power was reportedly being inserted into red and white capsules in the warehouse that operated with the front of serving as a storage facility for a commodity broker.

“The Hawks have been on the suspect’s trail for a few weeks after receiving tip-offs concerning the illegal activities at the premises. The outstanding work by the Crime Intelligence unit in gathering concrete evidence has led to the arrest of the suspects,” said Major Thulani Zwane, KZN SAPS spokesperson.

He said more arrests were imminent.

The eight men, aged between 25 and 45, will appear before the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court today.