By Kaya 959 News
A 26-year-old man, who tried to smuggle around R1.9 million from Durban to Dubai, has been sentenced.
Muhammad Zakariyya Sheik Aboo was arrested in May 2018 after officials found the money concealed in white envelopes in his luggage.
Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase, said Aboo was nabbed at the Cape Town International Airport while en route to Dubai.
“The sterling work of Custom officials from the South African Revenue Services (SARS) culminated in the discovery of $156 850 in cash, equivalent to R1.9 million, concealed in white envelopes inside the luggage belonging to Zakkariyah,” Nkwalase said.
The Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team was involved with the probe since his arrest on 11 May 2018, resulting in his travel plans to depart for Dubai coming to an abrupt end.
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Aboo sentenced
Aboo was initially charged for contravention of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964, however, he entered into a plea agreement with the state and was subsequently found guilty of contravening the Exchange Control Regulations, 1961.
“The Cape Town Regional Court sentenced [Aboo] to six years imprisonment of which four years is suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of the same offence during the period of his suspension. He will effectively serve a two years imprisonment,” Nkwalase said.
National Head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya welcomed the recovery and sentence and applauded the collaborative effort between the Hawks and SARS Custom officials.



