SOUTH AFRICA: Cocaine Worth R9m Impounded At OR Tambo Airport

30kg of cocaine estimated at almost R9 million was seized by South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs officials in two separate incidents at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday.

In a statement, SARS said collaboration between customs officials and the South African Police Service led to the arrest of a passenger disembarking from a Sao Paulo flight via Johannesburg in transit to Mozambique.

A scan of the passenger’s luggage revealed irregular images and led to a second inspection which uncovered ten boxes of imitation jewellery.

Ninety wooden sticks were found in the boxes concealing a white substance which tested positively for cocaine.

A total of 24.66kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of R7 094 682 was confiscated and handed to the South African Police Service, said SARS.

In the second incident, customs officials intercepted 6.3kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of R1 812 510 concealed in the base of a passenger’s luggage.

The passenger was also on a Sao Paulo flight travelling via Johannesburg in transit to Mozambique.

SARS said both the passenger and the consignment were handed over to the police for further investigation.

It added that the successful operations are part of the increased joint operations between SARS and the South African Police Service.



Tourism Observer

SOUTH AFRICA: Drugs Impounded Again At OR Tambo International Airport

South African airport customs officials have confiscated male sexual enhancement tablets worth R20.6 million en route to Swaziland from India, the revenue service said.

Customs officers found 80,000 tablets and 126,000 oral jellies in transit sheds at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday.

The pills were wrapped in brown sacks sent from Mumbai.

“These tablets are restricted and controlled substances and must have permits when being imported,” the South African Revenue Service (Sars) said in a statement.

“The shipment has been handed over to the Medical Council of South Africa for further investigation.”

Sars spokesperson Sandile Memela said the police would investigate who had sent the pills and the intended recipient.

Another man has been arrested in Grassy Park in connection with the possession of tik and cocaine.

The 45-year-old suspect was nabbed during police patrols in the area yesterday.

The police's Frederick van Wyk said: “When the suspect noticed our members he sped away.

A chase led by our members resulted in the suspect being apprehended.

The vehicle was searched and they found tik and a large quantity of money.

Upon further investigation our members were led to a South Field house where they discovered tik and cocaine.

The drugs have an estimated street value of R120,000.”