6 June 2026 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has intercepted consignments suspected to contain illicit drugs during a targeted Customs and Excise operation at the Port of Durban in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The consignments were identified during the inspection of heavy-duty excavation equipment imported from South America. Following customs risk assessment and cargo profiling, SARS Customs officials stopped and examined the shipment.
SARS detector dogs alerted to suspicious parcels concealed within two excavators. The South African Police Service (SAPS) secured the scene, after which the parcels, estimated at approximately 90 large bricks of pure cocaine were removed. Preliminary testing using a SARS mobile drug detection kit indicates the substance to be cocaine.
The intercepted consignment forms part of SARS’ intensified crackdown on illicit trade and cross-border smuggling. The material has been seized and handed to SAPS for further forensic analysis and criminal investigation. Details regarding the weight, value, origin, and intended destination will be confirmed once laboratory testing is complete.
SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu says today’s interception reflects SARS’ strategic focus on strengthening customs enforcement at ports of entry and intensifying its crackdown on illicit trade. “Through intelligence-led operations, SARS is targeting high-risk consignments with precision, disrupting cross-border smuggling and illicit financial flows that erode the domestic economy and undermine compliant trade“ says Dr Makhubu.
The operation also highlights the impact of SARS modernisation efforts. Investments in advanced cargo profiling systems, non-intrusive inspection technology, and data-driven risk engines are enabling faster, more accurate detection of illicit goods. These capabilities improve customs efficiency by allowing SARS to identify and intercept high-risk shipments without delaying legitimate trade, thereby supporting economic activity while enforcing compliance, says Makhubu.
SARS continues to build an integrated and responsive customs environment through coordinated action with law enforcement agencies and port stakeholders. This approach strengthens border management, enhances operational effectiveness and ensures that South Africa’s key trade gateways remain secure while facilitating the smooth flow of legitimate goods.
Dr Makhubu adds, “SARS will sustain its crackdown on illicit trade. Our modernised customs capability allows us to target high-risk shipments with precision while facilitating compliant trade. This operation shows how we are restoring the integrity of our border environment and working with law enforcement to dismantle organised criminal networks. The Port of Durban remains a key trade gateway, and SARS will continue to strengthen enforcement through enhanced cargo profiling, technology-enabled inspections, and multi-agency cooperation.”
The Commissioner saluted the Customs team together with other law enforcement agencies for this extraordinary work. He said “South Africa is truly thankful for their watchful and commendable efforts”.
SARS urges importers, exporters, and logistics operators to see compliance as vital, fostering a collaborative effort to maintain trade security and integrity.
For media enquiries, contact SARS Media at [email protected].
