Durban – A 62-year-old foreign national has been arrested in KwaZulu-Natal after being found in possession of drugs worth an estimated R8 million during a police operation in Somerset Park.
According to the South African Police Service, officers acted on intelligence about a suspected drug dealer operating in the area and conducted surveillance at a residential complex on Ilchester Avenue in Canterbury.
Police said the suspect was intercepted shortly after midnight on Monday.
“Police conducted continuous surveillance on the premises where the suspect was said to be residing, and just after midnight on Monday morning, the suspect was spotted carrying a backpack at a residential complex,” SAPS said.
#sapsKZN [DRUG BUST] #SAPS in KwaZulu-Natal has arrested a foreign national after he was found in possession of drugs worth R8 MIL at a residential complex in Somerset Park on Monday, 23/03.
Police gathered intelligence regarding a man who was dealing in drugs. Police… pic.twitter.com/bNjpPxbLOM
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) March 23, 2026
The man was stopped and searched, leading to the discovery of drugs in his possession.
“Upon searching the backpack, a substance suspected to be gold cocaine was found in his possession. The substance weighed almost 7kg, with an estimated street value of R8 million,” police said.
Authorities also confiscated an undisclosed amount of cash and three cellphones believed to be linked to the alleged drug trade.
The man has been charged with dealing in and possession of drugs and is expected to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
