23 March 2026
KZN police have raided four cannabis outlets in the greater Durban area, seized R1,3 m of stock and arrested five people for dealing in drugs in what appears to be a new crackdown on the province’s ‘Grey Zone’ .
According to the Southlands Sun, the Provincial Organised Crime Narcotics and Organised Crime Threat Units raided a network of cannabis shops in Montclair, Brighton Beach, Umbilo and Amanzimtoti on Thursday, 19 March 2026.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza said the raids followed a sting operation targeting the alleged owner of the cannabis retail network.
“The officers followed intelligence about a suspect who was suspected to be dealing in cannabis from four of his shops located at Umbilo, Amanzimtoti, Brighton Beach and Montclair,” said Lt Col Magwaza.
He said the team executed the search warrant simultaneously on all targeted premises on Thursday, 19 March 2026. The main suspect was arrested at a different location and was taken to his place of residence in Yellowwood Park where more cannabis was recovered.
“The street value of the recovered cannabis is estimated to be R1.3m” said Lt Col Magwaza.
All the arrested suspects were charged for dealing in drugs and were due to appear at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on 20 March 2026.
SAPS KZN Provincial Commissioner Nhlanhla Makwhanazi (pictured here) said last year that dealing in cannabis remained strictly illegal and issued a directive to station commanders and other units that the law must be upheld.
