Brazil intercepts 98.5 kg of cocaine bound for Durban
Brazilian law enforcement intercepted 98.5 kg of cocaine that was due to arrive at the port of Durban in South Africa. The drugs were hidden in sealed metal cylinders in a sea container at a private terminal in the port of Paranaguá.
As Daily Maverick reports, Brazil’s Federal Revenue Service said the container was destined for Durban, Africa’s largest and busiest cargo and container port. This is the second recent cocaine seizure in Paranaguá: on August 27, Brazilian police found another 33 kg of drugs in a container. The Federal Police confirmed that shipment was headed to Africa but did not name its exact destination.
Route through Durban
The Madlanga Commission, which is investigating allegations of the Big Five drug cartel’s infiltration of South Africa’s criminal justice system, political sphere and private sector, has repeatedly heard testimony about Durban’s connection to major cocaine shipments. According to information presented to the commission, the group transported drugs from South America, often through Durban, after which the shipments were moved to Gauteng province for distribution in South Africa and abroad.
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Businessman Tumelo Nku testified before the commission about a cocaine shipment worth 286 million rand that arrived from Brazil at Durban harbour and was intercepted on July 9, 2021, in Aeroton, Johannesburg. According to him, the interception was arranged on behalf of a drug dealer known as Eby or Iby in order to harm a competitor. Nku was one of four people arrested, including two police officers. The case was later withdrawn, but the investigation continues.
PCC and stolen shipment cases
Brazilian media reported that Willian Barile Agati, who is accused of belonging to the leadership of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) group, has been in custody since January 2025 in a drug-trafficking-related case. A court ruling last year stated that he was under investigation on suspicion of international drug trafficking and laundering millions of dollars using private aircraft and sea vessels. Investigators also suspect Agati of links between the PCC and the Italian mafia ’Ndrangheta.
Separately, a case is ongoing in South Africa over the disappearance of cocaine seized in 2021 at a container yard in Isipingo near Durban. The Madlanga Commission heard that the shipment, worth about 200 million rand, was stored in a building of the Hawks unit in Port Shepstone, from where it was stolen. Lucas Legabe, who was arrested last month in connection with the case, denied the charges. According to a source, he also said that he was tortured to force him to implicate police officers in the case.
