Operatives of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) have impounded 23kg of narcotics with an estimated street value of R37 million at the cargo sheds of the OR Tambo International Airport.
The narcotics were disguised as disguised as moulded artwork in a box headed for New Zealand before the customs officers on inspection found it.
The box had moulded artwork, which looked suspicious. The officers then subjected it to screening using a narcotics test kit. Some of the items tested positive for crystal meth weighing 10kg.
A further test by the South African Police Service (SAPS) on other items tested positive for fentanyl, which weighed 13kg. The narcotics were handed over the SAPS for further investigation.
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter in a statement on Saturday, praised the customs officers who detected the narcotics for their vigilance.
“SARS Customs will spare no effort in stopping the export or import of narcotics and any illegal substance which cause so much pain and hardship for families, particularly their youth.
“Drug smugglers must know that our Customs Division is fully committed to this objective, and will act without fear or favour against those criminals involved in the drugs trade. They must know that they will face the full might of the law,” Kieswetter said.