DRUG syndicates play a dangerous game, exploiting Mzansi's drug-affected youth and lining the pockets of the wealthy.
Crime expert Calvin Rafadi said this as he reacted to the increase in drug smuggling rings in the country, which according to him destroy the youth.
Describing the organised crime, Rafadi highlighted the authorities' limited ability to investigate such crimes proactively.
Impact on society and youth
Recently, Sars Customs officers seized 23 kilogrammes of narcotics disguised as moulded artwork at OR Tambo International Airport, revealing an estimated street value of R37 million.
The drugs were discovered in a suspicious box headed for New Zealand.
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When customs officers used a narcotics test kit, some items tested positive for crystal meth, weighing 10kg, and fentanyl, weighing 13kg.
The narcotics were handed over the SAPS for further investigation.
While Rafadi applauded the work done by the officers, he stressed that relaxation of strict control in the country's borders and airport have made it easy for criminals to get away with more heinous crimes beyond just drug trafficking.
Customs and borders control at airports
“Drug smuggling has been an ongoing crime for some time now to the point that even our neighboring countries rely on our harbors and international airports to traffic most of their stuff. Human trafficking has become rough, car smuggling has worsened, its as though we no longer have borders, these are just toll gates, you pay as you go this is why there is a lot of trafficking beyond drugs,” he said.
According to Rafadi, where there is a demand and money in a specific drug, the flow though harbours, borders and international airports becomes easier.
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In Mzansi, the influx of narcotics into the country's shores continues to be a pressing problem.
In November 2023, cops seized R151 million worth of cocaine at the Durban harbour.
This was the third major drug bust at this port after the bust in October when cops seized R150 million worth of cocaine in separate incidents.
Efforts and challenges in law enforcement
Police Minister Bheki Cele at the time reiterated that they would enhance its level of cooperation and information sharing on drugs and cross border collaboration against crime.
Rafadi stressed the need for arrests, the permanent confiscation of drugs, and a focus on intelligence work to combat the endless battle against drug smuggling.
He emphasised the importance of swiftly destroying confiscated drugs to prevent their return to the market and advocated for the rotation of the Special Task Force to prevent capture.
"We want these drugs confiscated and destroyed because if they are left in storages for evidence, they pose a risk of being stolen and taken back into the market," he said.
