15 January 2009
A joint operation today between Customs officers from the South African
Revenue Service (SARS) and investigators from the Department of Environmental
Affairs (DEAT) (the "Green Scorpions") in Gauteng uncovered various illicit
goods and smuggling networks.
The following items were confiscated:
* At OR Tambo International Airport searches of cargo goods by Customs sniffer
dogs uncovered two crates of dried abalone destined for Hong Kong. The abalone
â 560 kilograms with an estimated street value of R1,8 million â was concealed
in black bags
* In China City in Bruma investigations led to the discovery of 12 dried shark
fins in a butchery shop
* In Crown Mines south of Johannesburg investigators raided a premises and
found seven digital video disc (DVD) burners and counterfeit DVDs with an
estimated street value of more than R2 million
* At the same premises investigators also found five boxes of counterfeit
Viagra. It is suspected that the tablets were smuggled into South Africa from
China. The efficacy of the counterfeit Viagra has not been determined at this
stage and samples will be sent to the Department of Health (DoH) for
analysis.
Today's operations were in response to a directive from the World Customs
Organisation (WCO) for member states to intensify their focus on smuggling of
endangered species.
The abalone found at the airport indicates a scant regard for the moratorium
on abalone fishing which government imposed some months ago.
No suspects were arrested at this stage. Investigations between various law
enforcement agencies will continue.
Issued by: South African Revenue Service
15 January 2009
Source: South African Revenue Service (http://www.sars.gov.za)
