Police raid suspected fake call centre in Umhlanga
It is understood that the alleged business owner and a partner were inside the building during the takedown operation.
More arrests have been made following a police raid at an Umhlanga property on Tuesday.
According to police, it's been linked to an alleged fake call centre operating under the guise of a timeshare business.
Dramatic scenes as suspects arrested during Umhlanga operation
The situation turned dramatic when a woman walked out of the house with her arms raised, visibly shocked and angry.
It has since been confirmed that she is the owner of the property, which had been rented out to the suspects.
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Earlier, fifteen individuals were escorted out by police.
Some covered their faces with jackets and shirts as they were led into police vans.
About an hour later, nine men in handcuffs, also covering their faces, were loaded into a police vehicle.
Authorities probe links to organised crime and illegal employment
It is understood that the alleged business owner and a partner were inside the building during the operation.
Authorities believe a mix of foreign nationals and locals were either employed there or in the process of being hired.
The arrests follow months of investigations.
Crackdown intensifies as police target crime hotspots across Durban
In February, KZN’s top cop, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, led a multidisciplinary operation targeting Umlazi, KwaMashu and the Point area of the CBD.
Police say they shut down a popular pub, which was also operating illegally.
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Provincial spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said the manager, who's in the country illegally, was arrested and liquor confiscated.
“There were also suspects who were arrested for being in possession of drugs, possession of a firearm without a licence, and in Umlazi, a suspect was arrested for obstructing police officers in the execution of their duties. Several undocumented foreign nationals were also arrested during the operation.”
Later in that same month, police uncovered what they believe to be a drug laboratory at a home in Umhlatuzana, south of Durban.
Officers from the Hawks, eThekwini metro police and the South African Police Service carried out a joint operation across several locations.
One man was arrested while the search of the property was underway.
The Hawks say the early morning raid followed a three-year investigation, during which they have been tracking an alleged drug syndicate.
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