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6 January 2017 – First week brings R4,3 Million worth of narcotics busts

6 January 2017 – First week brings R4,3 Million worth of narcotics busts

Pretoria, 06 January 2017 – SARS Customs has intercepted seven kilograms of ephedrine and 86 litres of ecstasy worth a total of R4,3 Million during this first week of the year at OR Tambo International Airport.
A suspected drug trafficker was arrested on Monday when a SARS Customs officer confiscated 7,2 kg of ephedrine to the value of R2,16 Million from the suspect’s baggage.
The Customs officer found containers filled with a white crystal substance which tested positively for ephedrine, the principal ingredient in the manufacture of crystal methamphetamine.  The reaction of a Customs sniffer dog also confirmed the presence of narcotics.
A female passenger made enquiries about the parcel and was taken for questioning before being placed under arrest by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
On Wednesday narcotic dogs reacted positively to a consignment of boxes that contained a liquid which tested positively for ecstasy.  A total of 86 litres was discovered with an estimated street value of R2 150 000.00.
Both consignments were enroute from Nigeria.
Yesterday close to 5kg of cannabis valued at R4800 was confiscated from the luggage of a pedestrian entering South Africa at the Caledonspoort border post (border with Lesotho).
All consignments were handed to the SAPS for further investigation.
SARS Customs has been on duty throughout the festive season manning the country’s ports of entry as travellers enter and exit South Africa.   Travel activity is expected to increase this coming weekend as the holiday period draws to a close.
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