By Zuko Komisa
- Custom officials intercepted over 333kg of cocaine valued at roughly R167 million at OR Tambo International Airport.
- The illicit cargo was seized during a coordinated multi-point operation targeting a single flight arriving from São Paulo, Brazil.
- The intercepted narcotics were uncovered across both passenger luggage and unmanifested cargo before being handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has intercepted more than 333kg of cocaine worth an estimated R167 million at OR Tambo International Airport. The seizure was conducted during a targeted enforcement operation on a flight arriving from São Paulo, Brazil.
Customs officers executed a simultaneous multi-point operation spanning passenger baggage screening, cargo inspection, and direct aircraft offloading.
During screening in the international arrivals hall, officers detected 75 bricks of cocaine weighing 83.10kg hidden inside two suitcases. Concurrently, a SARS narcotics detection dog flagged unmanifested cargo from the same flight, uncovering an additional 250kg of the drug.
The seized contraband was immediately transferred to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for forensic processing and further investigation.
SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu praised the dual interception across passenger luggage and cargo as a testament to the power of integrated law enforcement.
“This operation demonstrates that SARS is steadily strengthening its capability to detect and disrupt sophisticated smuggling syndicates,” Makhubu noted.
The operation highlights SARS’ ongoing strategy to leverage data analysis, intelligence, and international cooperation to safeguard legitimate trade and protect communities from transnational organised crime.
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