🇿🇦South AfricaSouthern Africa
South African police seize over R50 million in illicit goods, arrest more than 17,000 suspects
via The Citizen2 min read
The South African Police Service Saps has seized illicit goods valued at over R50 million and arrested more than 17,000 individuals nationwide in operations conducted between June 1 and June 7, 2026. Seizures include 90kg of suspected cocaine worth R36 million at Durban Harbour, illicit cigarettes valued at R3 million in Nelspruit, and R1.5 million in illicit tobacco in Limpopo. Additionally, illicit liquor worth over R9 million was confiscated in the Western Cape. During this period, 17,587 suspects were arrested, including 2,549 wanted individuals linked to serious and violent crimes. Among those apprehended were 2,399 undocumented foreign nationals, with the majority of arrests occurring in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Other arrests include 1,564 for assault, 153 for murder, 157 for attempted murder, 135 for rape, 567 for driving under the influence, 196 for dealing in drugs, 3,115 for possession of drugs, 499 for illegal liquor dealing, and 26 for human trafficking. Authorities also recovered 127 unlicensed firearms, 1,898 rounds of ammunition, over R21 million worth of contraband and various drugs, and 59 hijacked or stolen vehicles. These operations are part of the ongoing Operation Shanela, targeting organized criminal networks involved in illicit trade, drug trafficking, illegal immigration, and other serious crimes.
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