Police arrest alleged Phoenix drug dealer and seize cocaine, dagga

Police have arrested a 29-year-old man and seized drugs with a street value estimated at more than R180 000 in Phoenix, 20km northwest of central Durban.

He appeared briefly in the Phoenix Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 3 July for dealing in drugs, police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said.

The suspect was arrested during an operation conducted by the Durban Public Order Police, Crime Intelligence and the Metro Police Drug Team.

Officers find bags of crack cocaine, dagga and cash

The teams went to the residential premises in Goodhaven Circle in Phoenix and executed a search warrant, police said.

While searching the premises they found 14 bags of crack cocaine, 57 crack cocaine packages, a large quantity of dagga and R13 770 in cash. The money is suspected to be the proceeds of drugs and was seized from the suspect.

“Operations are still ongoing in the province to root out the drug trade. The Provincial Commissioner in KwaZulu-Natal, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula commended the team for their persistence and dedication in bringing drug dealers to book,” Captain Gwala said.

Drug ‘king pin’ with gold-plated gun arrested in January

Drug-related activity is a common problem in the Phoenix area.

In January, police officers seized drugs, guns and ammunition during the arrest of an alleged ‘notorious’ drug kingpin in Phoenix

The haul comprised two pistols, a shotgun, an automatic rifle, five magazines, 10 cellphones, three digital video recorders and 287 rounds of ammunition. A gold-plated AK-47 assault rifle was said to be among the weapons.

Police also confiscated 12 000 heroin capsules and R19 371 in cash.

Hawks arrested another alleged Phoenix drug dealer in April

In early April, the Hawks swooped in on an alleged drug dealer in Phoenix during the national lockdown, IOL Online reported.

Hawks spokesperson, Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo, said officers acted on information regarding a suspect who was reportedly dealing in drugs at Golden Green Gardens flats, Phoenix.

The identified premises were searched resulting in quantities of cocaine powder, crack and cash being confiscated.