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South Africa: SARS Crackdown Leads to R167m Cocaine Bust
Officials say intelligence-led checks uncovered cocaine in passenger luggage and cargo, with investigators tracing a possible link between the two consignments.
- On Tuesday, the South African Revenue Service and South African Police Service seized more than 333kg of cocaine worth an estimated R167 million at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
- SARS Customs officials targeted a flight arriving from Brazil, conducting inspections across three key areas: aircraft baggage off-loading, passenger screening, and cargo sections as part of intensified efforts to stop narcotics.
- Customs officials identified two pieces of luggage containing 75 bricks weighing 83.10kg, while narcotics detector dog Lagertha alerted officers to four boxes of unmanifested cargo revealing approximately 250kg packed into 220 blocks; both consignments bore similar "Air" branding.
- SARS Commissioner Johnstone Makhubu credited data analytics and intelligence for the operation's success, while Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane vowed, "We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to detect, intercept and dismantle drug trafficking networks."
- Investigations are underway to identify those responsible, though no arrests have been made at this stage; the combined street value of the seizure exceeds R200 million amid debate about South Africa's role as a transit point for international drug syndicates.
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Cocaine Worth R167 Million Seized At OR Tambo Airport
[Image: Wikimedia Commons] Looks like there may be less snow on the streets of SA because the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has intercepted more than 333kg of cocaine, worth an estimated R167 million, at OR Tambo International Airport. This formed part of a targeted operation, with the flight carrying the drugs arriving from São Paulo, Brazil. While customs officials were busy screening passengers in the international arrivals hall, two p…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left1Leaning Right1Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
L 20%
C 60%
R 20%
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