Pretoria, 09 February 2016 – South African Revenue Services (SARS) Customs officials intercepted a consignment of currency worth R7-million at King Shaka International Airport in Durban on Sunday.
This is the airport’s largest currency bust this year.
SARS Customs officers together with a baggage handler became suspicious when three suitcases scheduled for loading at the departing Emirates flight to Amman via Dubai were being removed from the international arrivals hall.
Upon investigation, it was established the owner of the bags requested a change on the bags’ final destination without making a declaration to Customs. Thus SARS Customs officials directed the bags for a luggage scan.
The scanned images identified were neither clothing nor personal items but South African rand bank notes with total of R7 049 320.00 in the suitcases.
The passenger and consignment were handed over to SAPS for possible criminal prosecution.
