Pretoria: South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs yesterday seized 25 kilograms of pure heroine at the OR Tambo International Airport. The narcotics, with an estimated street value of R25 million, were declared as a "green coffee extract" and arrived on a cargo flight from India for local consumption.
SARS Customs officials on site conducted tests on the powder before a member of South African Police Service (SAPS) conducted a second opinion test which also tested positive for heroine. While no arrests have been made, SARS investigators have handed the case over to the SAPS and will assist where necessary.
Yesterday's apprehension brings to date the total amount of seizures conducted by the SARS Customs Dog Unit since the beginning of July 2009 to just under R262 million. These seizures range from narcotics, powders used in the creation of prohibited substances and ointments, creams and cigarettes that have not been cleared by SARS Customs.
In another development on the same day, SARS officials along with one of our counterfeit DVD sniffing dogs assisted the SAPS and the South African Federation of Theft (SAFACT) with the seizure of 55 000 counterfeit DVDs with an estimated value of R7 million at Bruma Lake.
SARS Customs reiterates its commitment to increase its efforts at all ports of entry to improve its border control contributions. Equal measure will be exercised against individuals and organisations that attempt to undermine the economy through the importing of illegal goods.
For more information please contact:
Sibabalwenathi Mfabe
SARS Customs related queries
Cell: 083 302 9991
E-mail: smfabe@sars.gov.za
James Lennox
South African Federation of Theft (SAFACT)
Cell: 082 496 2587
Issued by: South African Revenue Service
28 August 2009
Source: South African Revenue Service (http://www.sars.gov.za)
