Coke worth R64m seized

2006-04-19 15:52

Johannesburg - Two large drug busts at the Johannesburg International Airport in the past two days have kept off the streets cocaine with an estimated value of R64m.

South African Revenue Service (SARS) custom officials intercepted a shipment of 20kg of cocaine on Wednesday morning.

"The large quantity demonstrates the threat syndicated crime and the smuggling of illicit items, including narcotics, pose to South Africa and its communities," said SARS spokesperson Adrian Lackay.

SARS found the narcotics concealed in the wooden handles of women's handbags as part of cargo freight on a SAA flight from Sao Paulo airport in Brazil to Johannesburg. Lackay said the flight landed shortly after 06:00.

Handbags

"Customs officials risk-profiled the shipment and physically searched the contents.

"Inspections found that the narcotics were concealed in the wooden handles of female handbags."

The drugs were believed to have a street value of more than R9m.

No arrests had been made.

The bust followed police's seizure at the airport on Tuesday morning of cocaine with an estimated street value of R55m.

Lackay said the incidents were not necessarily linked.

Police arrested a 34-year-old Nigerian man at his home in Randburg on Tuesday night in connection with their bust, superintendent Vishnu Naidoo said.

Arrest

"The drugs arrived here yesterday (on Tuesday) morning at 09:00."

He said "hundreds of thousands of rands in cash was also seized" from the man's home. Police were not expecting to make further arrests.

The drugs were imported from South America about a week ago.

In the past seven months, drugs with an estimated value on the street of R130m have been seized at Johannesburg International Airport, Naidoo said.

Lackay said the smuggling highlighted the importance for SARS to improve customs operations' border and trade control capabilities.

"SARS investigators together with the police will investigate the matter further," said Lackay.

- SAPA