POINT DRUG TRADE 'WORTH R1BN A YEAR'

The drug trade in Durban's Point area turns over more than R1 billion a
year. On top of this, drug peddling at 17 nightclubs in the area generates
almost R800 000 a month at each club.

This was the evidence of a senior police officer, Capt Michelle Frazer,
second in charge of Project West, a provincial task team targeting the drug
trade in the Point area and West African nationals involved in it.

She was quoting from research police did last year.

Frazer was testifying in aggravation of sentence in the Durban Magistrate's
Court of convicted cocaine and heroin dealer Abongo Iddy of Zaire, 29, who
was later sentenced to 14 years in jail.

Increase in peddling 'totally overwhelming'

Iddy was arrested in a planned police raid in September last year following
the near fatal overdose of two Hillcrest teenagers.

Following a tip-off, police found the near-comatose boys who had both taken
what could have been a lethal cocktail of heroin and crack cocaine.

Both had to be taken to Addington Hospital and one was admitted to
rehabilitation.

Yesterday in court, Frazer described the increase in drug peddling as
"totally overwhelming".

The figures she presented to court were estimates based on research and
interviews with people in the area. Cocaine made up most of the drugs found
in the area, although heroin was on the increase.

She said there were 34 known buildings where drug dealing was rife. These
drug dens collectively turned over more than R1 billion a year. In one month
a dealer can sell between R300 and R10 000 worth of drugs.

Current rates for cocaine were R300 a gram and heroin R450 a gram, she said.
She said there was a direct link between the drug industry and other crimes,
such as cellular telephone theft and housebreaking.

She said the family of one of the teenagers who had almost overdosed on
drugs had "suffered terribly".

"He has slipped back again . . . and is back in rehab."

When asked whether she thought this crime was as serious as a hijacking or
armed robbery, she answered: "One piece of crack cocaine can kill someone."

Passing sentence of seven years for each count, magistrate T Maistry
commented on the revenue generated from the drug industry, the seriousness
and upsurge in the prevalence of the drug dealing and the need to deter
others from committing these type of offences.

"We need to curb these crimes and I believe sentences such as these will
assist," he said.

R Dookun appeared for the state and A Shaikjee for Iddy.