12 October 2025 – The SARS Durban Customs office conducted a collaborative intelligence operation led at the Durban Harbour in the early morning of 12 October 2025. The operation resulted in the seizure of 30 bricks of Suspected Narcotics that were in Reefer Refrigeration Unit of the vessel with the estimated street value of R 65 000 000.
The drugs were handed over to SAPS, DPCI for further investigation, prosecution and destruction.
On 12 October 2025 at approximately 02:45 Durban Customs Enforcement Team Launched the Customs Marine Unit Patrol Vessel – Striker to go and intercept the Motor Vessel near the Fairway Bouy at Outer Anchorage about 4 Nautical Miles of the East Coast of the Durban. The Enforcement Team intercepted the vessel as it was entering the port and escorted the vessel to its berth. The Enforcement Team Boarded the Vessel, interviewed the Master of the Vessel, and examined documentation to identify the location of a profiled container.
The Vessel was Rummaged by the Enforcement Team and the container was located on the Vessel where the Refrigeration Unit was examined. This resulted in one positive detection of bricks of suspected narcotics.
SARS Commissioner Mr Edward Kieswetter expressed his gratitude to the SARS Customs and other law enforcement agencies for their salutary work. He said that “Customs demonstrated its gallantry by working so hard and focussed at the death of the night to intercept this vessel. This speaks to an unwavering commitment by SARS to protect our borders and keep at bay all criminals that are bent on shipping harmful substance that cause unmitigated suffering for our inhabitants.”
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