7 May 2015, Johannesburg – SARS officials today uncovered 20.76 kilograms of crystal meth at OR Tambo International Airport. The shipment, profiled by SARS, arrived on flight SA061 from Lagos and was said to contain hair pieces and food items. Following a thorough inspection by the cargo team, it was established that 5 parcels of crystal meth was placed at the bottom of the shipment. The bust has ensured that crystal meth, with a street value of approximately R6.3 million has been intercepted before it was allowed to enter the market.
This follows a series of successful operations by SARS Customs at OR Tambo International Airport this week. Other busts include:
- On 6 May 2015, SARS Detector Dog Unit officers conducted routine inspections when a shipment destined for Madagascar from South Africa was intercepted and detector dog Archie reacted positively. The shipment was subsequently inspected and 1 kilogram of heroin valued at R201 087.00 was found concealed in a false compartment of a box.
- Once again on 6 May 2015 the Detector Dog Unit officers conducted routine inspections when a shipment destined from Maputo to South Africa was intercepted and detector dog Kelton reacted positively. A massive 14.4 kilograms of Khat leaves valued at R9604.00 was found in the box.
- A Sierra Leone citizen was intercepted after arriving from Sao Paulo on 5 May 2015. The passenger was in transit to Abidjan but was questioned by a Customs official. There was a strong suspicion that the passenger was trafficking illegal substances. X-rays later revealed that he had swallowed cocaine in ‘bullet form’ (approximately 100 bullets) valued at R287 700.00.
- On 1 May 2015 Detector Dog Unit officers intercepted one of the largest consignments of Cannabis weighing a massive 134 kilograms valued at R187 600.00. The cargo was declared as bottles of wine, however narcotics dog Archie helped discover 134 blocks of Cannabis in a false compartment of the crates.
