Persistent and Widespread Problem
The figures reveal a persistent challenge in preventing the smuggling of contraband into prisons. Confiscations were reported in facilities across all provinces, including maximum-security, medium, remand, and youth centres. In many cases, multiple drug types were recovered in the same facility, suggesting both high consumption rates among inmates and the presence of organised supply networks.

In the 2022–23 financial year, East London Maximum in the Eastern Cape recorded the single largest dagga seizure at 33,887 kg, followed by Durban Maximum in KwaZulu-Natal with 11,269 kg and Kgosi Mampuru II Central in Gauteng with 12,429.49 kg. Large seizures of methamphetamine, mandrax tablets, nyaope, whoonga capsules, cocaine and ecstasy tablets were also reported across the country.

Shifts in Drug Trends
In 2023–24, dagga seizures remained dominant. East London Maximum recorded 16,663 kg, while Kirkwood in the Eastern Cape reported 12,419 kg. Durban Maximum recorded 16,112 kg. Notably, high-volume seizures of crystal meth, cocaine, and ecstasy tablets became more frequent, alongside continued interceptions of whoonga and nyaope. Barberton Maximum in Mpumalanga reported 1,645 kg of dagga.

Preliminary 2024–25 data shows similar patterns. East London Maximum recorded 20,805 kg of dagga, Klerksdorp in the North West reported 6,679.6 kg, and Kirkwood registered 9,927 kg. Goodwood in the Western Cape seized 12,571 kg, and Durban Maximum reported 4,928 kg. Dagga continues to dominate seizures, but ecstasy, cocaine, and methamphetamine appear in higher quantities than in earlier years.

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Police received information about a vessel which left Brazil at the beginning on November and was carrying pure cocaine which was disguised as kidney beans. The vessel, which came to South Africa via another country, was monitored until Saturday, 30 November, when it docked at the Durban Harbour. The identified container was taken to a warehouse on South Coast Road in the Bluff area for a proper search.

During the search, eight bags of crushed pure cocaine were found and according to the documentation, the shipment was destined for Johannesburg. Investigations are underway to uncover the people behind the drugs, the South African Police Service said in a statement.

“We commend the excellent work being done by members of various law enforcement agencies to ensure that we close ranks. We are sending a strong message to all criminal syndicates that we are on high alert, we have adopted a zero-tolerance stance against all criminal activity,” said KZN Premier Thami Ntuli.

Large drug shipments have often been discovered coming through Durban Harbour. On 4 December 2023, 433 blocks of cocaine with a street value of R151 million was intercepted at Durban Harbour and found disguised in meat boxes.

In October last year, police tracked containers arriving in Durban Harbour from Brazil, discovering 228 blocks of cocaine in meat boxes worth R80 million. Just days before, R70 million worth of cocaine was also seized from a container at the Durban Harbour.

In January this year, more than half a billion rands’ worth of seized drugs were destroyed by law enforcement. These were confiscated during police operations in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Free State, Gauteng, North West and Mpumalanga. They included cocaine, heroin, mandrax and cannabis. In the 2022/2023 financial year, six tons of drugs were seized and destroyed with a value of R2 billion.

From October 2023 to January 2024, police intercepted four massive drug consignments: three in Durban and one in Gqeberha.

Some of the drugs that were destroyed in January include those that were seized during the following drug busts:

A Durban Harbour case where 700 kg of cannabis worth a street value of R21 million was seized;

A Durban harbour case where 530 kg of cocaine worth an estimated street value of R185 million was seized;

A Durban Harbour case where 223 kg tablets containing Fenethyllin – a nervous system stimulant worth R17.5 million – was seized;

652 kg of Mandrax tablets worth R98 million, confiscated at a clandestine laboratory;

Heroine worth a street value of R28 million, seized from vehicles travelling from Mozambique to South Africa;

Drugs confiscated at OR Tambo International Airport worth R17 million.

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He was found in possession of over three kilograms of drugs wrapped around his body, which was later confirmed to be cocaine with an estimated value of R1.8 million.

The suspect had just landed from São Paulo, Brazil, when he was arrested. The suspect is expected to appear in court soon.

In the past two months, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested at least 14 drug mules at OR Tambo International Airport.

Every week in the last two months, SAPS has arrested at least one drug mule at OR Tambo.

Among those arrested was a 21-year-old South African woman, who became the 11th person arrested for drug trafficking at the airport.

At the time, the police said she was intercepted as she was arriving on a flight from São Paulo.

She was taken to a local hospital where an X-ray confirmed that she had foreign objects in her stomach.

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