SOUTH AFRICA: Drugs, Rhino Horn, 51 Lion Claws And 19 Lion Teeth Impounded At OR Tambo Airport

Another person was arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport after being found in possession of drugs and a variety of other illegal items were seized.

The suspect, a 38 year old woman was being monitored after intelligence was provided that she will be arriving into the country from Sao Paulo with drugs.

On arrival from Sao Paulo, the suspect was interviewed and subsequently searched at Customs.

However, all forms of physical search had proven unsuccessful until she started to show signs of discomfort.

She was immediately taken to a local hospital and x-rayed.

The x-ray revealed foreign objects in the shape of bullets.

The “bullets”, suspected to be cocaine, were retrieved and they will be sent to our Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis.

In a separate incidents, the team intercepted a parcel at O R Tambo International Airport which was en route to Nigeria.

The parcel was physically searched by Customs and it was discovered that the it contained a rhino horn, 51 lion claws and 19 lion teeth.

The parcel was handed over to Convention on International trade in Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna (CITES) for further investigations.

The team also confiscated branded alleged counterfeit goods with an estimated street value of R 2 800 000 whilst doing gate checks.

It is alleged that a truck emanating from Swissport was inspected by SAPS and SARS.

The truck had cargo of boxes carrying Nike sneakers. The driver allegedly abandoned the truck and fled on foot.

The goods, which were falsely declared as printed matter and the truck were confiscated.

These successes are a culmination of efforts that form part of the new revised strategy that has recently been implemented at the O R Tambo International Airport under the leadership of Major General Dimakatso Ndaba which involves the South African Police Service’s Crime Intelligence, Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, Airports Company South Africa, O R Tambo International Airport, State Security Agency and other role players.

People may call our Crime Stop number 0860010111 with such information.

Callers may remain anonymous and all information will be treated with strictest confidence.



Tourism Observer