The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in KwaZulu-Natal has secured a court order to preserve a Durban warehouse valued at R29.7 million that was allegedly being used as a drug lab.
NPA regional spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said the AFU had obtained a Preservation of Property Order from the Durban High Court for a warehouse (immovable property) situated in Riverhorse Valley in Durban.
“The property, which is valued at over R29.7 million, was seized on the basis that it was instrumental in the commission of the offence of manufacturing and dealing drugs,” she said.
Ramkisson-Kara said on March 6, 2024, officials from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) entered the property after receiving information regarding drug dealing.
She said various drug manufacturing paraphernalia as well as large amounts of chemicals and waste materials or sludge were found on the property.
“The property was used to facilitate or make possible the manufacture of drugs,” she said.
She said reports from the police’s Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) confirmed that the types of exhibits found on the property were similar to those found at the scene of a clandestine drug lab.
She said the property will remain in the custody of the curator pending a forfeiture application.
“The success of this application is due to the joint efforts of the DPCI and the NPA (AFU) in KZN, proving that stakeholder collaboration is key in the fight against crime,” she said.
This Section 38 Preservation Order was successfully obtained by Advocate Beverley Mothilall.
A criminal investigation is also underway.
The Mercury