Durban - The estimated street value of heroin confiscated from a drug lab in Kloof, Durban, has increased to R3 billion, national police commissioner Riah Phiyega said on Wednesday.
“We are still counting these 50kg bags (of heroin) but at the last count, we had counted more than 200 bags,” she said in a statement.
In earlier statement KwaZulu-Natal police put the estimated street value at R2 billion.
“This success may (be) the largest this country has ever seen, but it is not the first of its kind and I do not think it will be the last.”
The drugs were recovered during a raid in the well-to-do suburb on Tuesday night.
“Upon searching the premises, (police) found three men in the premises then discovered 50kg bags of suspected pure heroin powder, as well as industrial manufacturing machines, scale, and containers,” she said.
The three men, aged 23, 55 and 56, would face charges of manufacturing drugs in the Pinetown Magistrate's Court on Friday.
“We will continue to expose those that live in the lap of luxury and profit from the misery of ordinary citizens on the ground,” Phiyega said.
Sapa
* Based on information obtained during the early stages of the raid, Independent Newspapers earlier reported that the heroin was worth R10 billion.