Law enforcement agencies, including the Hawks and SAPS, successfully dismantled a sophisticated drug manufacturing facility in Chatsworth, Durban.
Image: Supplied
A successful covert operation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), has dismantled a high-tech drug manufacturing facility operating from a residential property in Chatsworth, south of Durban.
The operation took place on Wednesday and stemmed from a meticulous intelligence-gathering effort aimed at cracking down on criminal networks involved in the manufacture and distribution of illegal substances.
Acting on comprehensive intelligence reports, Hawks officers and their SAPS counterparts swiftly descended on the property, uncovering a fully operational clandestine laboratory.
The facility was well equipped, featuring the necessary apparatus for large-scale drug production and housing a substantial stash of illegal substances alongside firearms.
The discoveries made by police indicated the level of sophistication with which drug networks operate within residential areas of Durban.
Members of the SAPS together with Durban police metro inspecting a manhole where some of the drugs were stashed.
Image: Supplied
As officers breached the property, the homeowner allegedly made a desperate attempt to destroy vital evidence by flushing drugs down the toilet.
Despite the attempt to evade justice, authorities successfully secured the remaining illegal substances and dismantled the laboratory, effectively preventing the drugs from reaching the community.
The homeowner was arrested and is expected to face charges related to drug manufacturing and the possession of illegal firearms.
Investigations are continuing to determine the full scope of the operation and identify any additional individuals involved.
Once again, Chatsworth has been flagged by law enforcement as a hotspot for illegal drug activity. Intelligence reports indicate a growing trend of criminal syndicates using ordinary homes as facades for their operations.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Hawks and SAPS, successfully dismantled a sophisticated drug manufacturing facility in Chatsworth, Durban, highlighting the rising threat of organised crime in residential areas
Image: Supplied
Authorities have expressed concern about the inherent dangers posed by such clandestine operations — not only in enabling the distribution of illegal drugs, but also in creating significant risks to surrounding residents, including potential chemical hazards, fires and explosions.
Hawks spokesperson Sibu Ncane hailed the operation as a “major success in the ongoing fight against organised crime,” stressing the importance of intelligence-led policing and cooperation between multiple agencies in disrupting criminal activities.
Ncane emphasised that such operations are aimed not only at apprehending offenders but also at protecting communities from the direct and indirect harms associated with illegal drug manufacturing and distribution.
He added that the operation sends a stern warning to organised crime groups operating in residential areas: the production of illegal drugs and the possession of illicit firearms will not be tolerated.
Ncane said future intelligence-driven operations targeting similar clandestine facilities throughout Durban and across KwaZulu-Natal are already in the planning stages, with law enforcement agencies steadfast in their resolve to maintain pressure on criminal syndicates.
He said sustained vigilance, coupled with community cooperation, is critical to effectively combating organised crime and ensuring the safety and security of residents in affected areas.
DAILY NEWS