R200m Port Shepstone cocaine heist suspect in court as Hawks probe deepens
The theft has subsequently come under scrutiny at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry,
Lucas Legabe, a 49-year-old man, made his initial court appearance in Port Shepstone Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, regarding the theft of a 541kg cocaine consignment. The investigation, led by the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, began after his arrest on 7 August 2026. Legabe was initially charged and remanded in custody in Germiston on 11 August 2026. His case has been set for a bail hearing on 8 and 9 September 2026.
The theft, valued at approximately R200 million, occurred in November 2021 when suspects broke into the storage facility at the Port Shepstone Hawks' office through its windows. The alarm system was not functioning at the time of the incident. A whistleblower had previously testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, alleging involvement in the theft and business burglary.
Colonel Gavin Jacob, head of the Durban serious organised crime unit, stated there was no evidence of his direct involvement but confessed to administrative failures and inadequate security measures at the facility. Further arrests are possible as the Hawks continue their investigation.
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