A sophisticated Tanzanian drug syndicate, smuggling millions of rand worth of heroin into KwaZulu-Natal every month, is running a slick operation from the streets of Durban's central business district and from homes in plush suburbs.
In recent months, the syndicate had expanded its networks, infiltrating local communities to become major distributors of heroin in the province, a police source said.
The kingpin is said to own a string of luxury vehicles and upmarket homes in Durban and surrounding areas. He travels between Tanzania and South Africa and has evaded police for months.
The demand for heroin, used in the manufacture of "whoonga" and "sugars", was so high in the province that it was believed to be fuelling crime such as housebreaking and theft, the source said.
Statistics show that Chatsworth is the leading suburb for the sale and abuse of heroin followed closely by Phoenix, the Durban central area, Sydenham, Wentworth, Clermont, Chesterville and Ntuzuma, the source said.
But with the focus on these areas, syndicates are moving their operations to affluent areas such as uMhlanga and Ballito.
"KwaZulu-Natal has become a major problem with regard to the sale of heroin. The Tanzanians have easy access to Afghanistan and Pakistan – countries where heroin is produced. They smuggle the drugs across the borders into our country."
On Wednesday, after months of gathering intelligence, the SAPS narcotics unit in Durban arrested Jabulani Nkabinde, a 30-year-old Tanzanian, in Berta Mkhize (Victoria) Street.
He is believed to be heading the syndicate's operations in Durban.
Nkabinde appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Thursday on a charge of possession of heroin. The matter was adjourned to next week for a bail application
KZN police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker said Nkabinde had been under surveillance for more than a month.
Police seized a package of heroin consisting of 440 individually packed packets, each containing enough heroin for a single dose, Naicker said.
The drugs were concealed in the boot of the suspect's car and were meant to be distributed to local runners.
The suspect was then taken to his flat in Mayville where a further 250g of heroin powder was found.
The street value of the drugs are believed to be more than R300 000.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, welcomed the arrest and said they were determined to cripple the drug trade in KZN.
The source said many syndicate members came into the country illegally or also had SA citizenship, like Nkabinde.
The syndicate, the source said, was a "well-oiled operation".
Heroin is sold as a hit, straw, foil, bag or loop. It sells for about R150 a hit.
The source said billions of rand in drug revenue left the country every year.
Couriers carry the cash across borders to the kingpins in countries such as Tanzania, Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan.
Internationally, SA is one of the major drug trafficking routes.
The Nigerian and Pakistan syndicates are said to control the cocaine, ecstasy and a small portion of the heroin trade in the province. - Daily News
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