Concerns raised over absence of clearing agent during major cocaine seizure at Durban Harbour

Hawks Colonel Gavin Jacob's testimony about R200 million drugs stored at the Hawks offices in KZN went missing scrutinised at Madlanga Commission.

Colonel Gavin Jacob's testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry reveals significant concerns regarding the absence of a clearing agent during a major cocaine bust at Durban Harbour, highlighting procedural inconsistencies in the investigation.

Jacob, the commander of the Hawks’ Durban Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, conceded it was concerning that the clearing agent was not present when the seal was broken on a container holding 541kg of cocaine worth R200 million at Durban Harbour in 2021, IOL reported.

This emerged during his testimony on Wednesday before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into the drug seizure on 22 June 2021.

Evidence leader Advocate Mehlape Sello, SC, said the commission received a statement from Megafreight clearing agent Timothy John Floweday stating he only received instructions to attend the 23 June 2021 inspection, not the 22 June inspection when drugs were seized at sea.