Biggest cocaine bust in Phoenix: two arrested, allegedly linked to Southside Gang

IN A MAJOR cocaine operation police uncovered a clandestine cocaine laboratory allegedly linked to the notorious Southside Gang, operating “under the radar” from a home in Phoenix.

In a joint operation by the Hawks, the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) Durban Unit, the provincial tactical response team, and metro police, over R4 million worth of cocaine was seized from two homes in Phoenix.

Narelle Maikoo, 34, and Brene Braydon Chetty, 22, both from Greenbury, were arrested.

They appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

They were remanded in custody until their bail application later this week.

Maikoo was charged with dealing in cocaine and heroin after police found a brick of cocaine worth R350 000 in her bedroom and heroin powder estimated at R60 000 in a green bag in the kitchen of her Bowgreen Close home.

Police then swooped on Chetty’s home in Garbgreen Close, where they discovered R3 683 000 worth of drugs, which included 20 560 pieces of crack cocaine valued at R1 028 000, uncut discs of crack cocaine valued at R 2 130 000, sachets of cocaine valued at R 325 000 and ecstasy tablets worth R325 000.

He was also found with R10 000 worth of painkillers (Phenacetin), and ammunition.

State prosecutor Joshua Adam Govender said bail would be opposed.

He told the court that when Chetty was arrested, police knocked on the door and there was no response.

Govender said Chetty jumped off the balcony from the first floor of his home and tried to flee.

“Police pursued him. He was brought back to the scene and arrested,” Govender said.

It has been alleged that Chetty operated the clandestine lab with crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and Phenacetin painkiller, which was used as a bulking and cooking agent.

Police also recovered scales, blades, glass jars and various types of ammunition from Chetty’s home.

A well informed source said they had received information about the alleged drug dealing by the Southside Gang from reliable informers.

The source said they used this information to plan the operation. They source added they had also received numerous complaints from the community about the gang's alleged activities. This, the source said, led to the arrest of Maikoo and Chetty.

Another source close to the investigation said the drugs found in Maikoo and Chetty’s possession were to be sold in the community, and also at hotspots in Umhlanga and Ballito and Hillcrest.

“The drugs recovered from the suspects homes were already packaged and ready to be sold on the streets. These drugs are earmarked for that day only. To deal with close to R4 million worth of drugs in one day, indicates that this is a huge operation,” the source said.

“These gangs are dangerous and we have been gathering information over the years. But, there has been too much police corruption which led to people operating ‘under the radar’ and not being held accountable for their actions.

“Gang violence and drug turf wars are rife, and there have been several shootings around nightclubs in Umhlanga, which is linked to the turf war. Gangs instil fear in communities by using violence. The Southside Gang is notorious. They lend money on interest, deal in drugs and stolen gold and members of the gang have been investigated from the time they were teens. 

“The head of the gang is seen as the ‘godfather’ because he has survived so many hits on his life. He now purports to be a preacher, and prays for people and children in schools. But the string of charges against him reads like a grocery list. His wife is a former detective and he has been linked to police corruption,” the source alleged.

He said drug dealing had become a “family business”.

“Drug kingpins are now recruiting their sisters, brothers, nephews, grannies and grandfathers to sell drugs. Police corruption plays a big role in this, because gangs know that they can get away by buying off the police,” the source claimed.

Another police source said this gang had believed for years that they were “untouchable”.

“They operated under the radar due to alleged police corruption and paid their way out of jail. Now, they have grown the gang and are operating a lab right in the heart of Greenbury, which is a close knit community.

“They have been a lifeline to those living in poverty and struggling to make ends meet. They provided meals and fed families in exchange for them to store their drugs and firearms.

“The amount of drugs found in possession of the two gang members shows us that the problem of drugs and gangs is escalating. A drug bust of this magnitude is shocking.

“We are hoping that those who saw this syndicate or gang as untouchable will come out of the cracks and give police further information, which will lead to more arrests and take the drugs off the streets.

“Another problem is that the gang uses children and minors to sell drugs. Children are used as street dealers as they are able to run away easily. Those who are caught are released into their parent’s custody and do not face jail time. The impact is that 75% of youth are hooked on drugs, and most are eventually forced into joining gangs to feed their addictions,” the source added.

Mark Nadesdan, spokesperson for the Phoenix Community Policing Forum, said they welcomed the arrests.

“We are grateful for the efforts of the police, however, we call for more action to address the drug scourge in Phoenix. This was one of the biggest drug busts in Phoenix.

A community leader, who did not want to be named for fear of his safety, said children were being recruited to sell drugs.

“Drug dealing has become a family business in Phoenix. We have cases where the mother is selling drugs in Unit 12, while the son is dealing in Unit 2 and the sister in Sastri Park.

“Drug dealers give their children drugs to distribute free of charge in schools to get the youngsters hooked. That is how they get their customers. So many people are selling drugs from their houses, it is shocking,” the man added.

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