South Africa's Hawks seize cocaine worth R36 million at Durban harbour

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) confiscated about 90 kg of suspected cocaine, valued at roughly R36 million, from two excavators that arrived at the Q and R Car Terminal of Durban harbour on 6 June 2026. Customs officials alerted the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau, which inspected the machinery and uncovered 47 blocks of the powdered substance in one excavator and 43 blocks in another before handing the case to a forensic laboratory.

In a related development, the Madlanga Commission heard testimony from Hawks investigators about mishandling of seized drugs. Hawks Counter‑Narcotics Unit member Gavin Jacob admitted that, under direction from Hawks head Leseja Senona, the drugs were moved to Port Shepstone storage, which had a history of break‑ins. The commission also examined claims of intimidation and procedural breaches within the Hawks’ narcotics division.