The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has seized more than 333kg of cocaine worth an estimated R167 million during a targeted operation at OR Tambo International Airport.
The drugs were intercepted on a flight arriving from São Paulo, Brazil, in a coordinated operation covering aircraft baggage offloading, passenger baggage screening and cargo inspections.
Customs officials first discovered two suitcases containing 75 bricks of cocaine weighing 83.10kg in the international arrivals hall. The matter was handed over to the South African Police Service for further investigation and forensic processing.
A SARS narcotics detection dog separately reacted to cargo from the same flight. A subsequent inspection uncovered at least 250kg of additional cocaine.
SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu said the seizure of cocaine from both passenger baggage and unmanifested cargo on the same flight demonstrated the value of integrated, intelligence-led enforcement.
He said the operation highlighted SARS Customs' growing ability to detect and disrupt sophisticated smuggling syndicates through intelligence, data analysis and risk profiling.
Makhubu also thanked law enforcement agencies and international partners for their cooperation in tackling transnational drug trafficking and protecting South Africa's borders and legitimate economy.
SARS said the seizure forms part of intensified efforts to combat the illicit movement of narcotics and other prohibited goods through the country's ports of entry.
The drugs were intercepted on a flight arriving from São Paulo, Brazil, in a coordinated operation covering aircraft baggage offloading, passenger baggage screening and cargo inspections.
Customs officials first discovered two suitcases containing 75 bricks of cocaine weighing 83.10kg in the international arrivals hall. The matter was handed over to the South African Police Service for further investigation and forensic processing.
A SARS narcotics detection dog separately reacted to cargo from the same flight. A subsequent inspection uncovered at least 250kg of additional cocaine.
SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu said the seizure of cocaine from both passenger baggage and unmanifested cargo on the same flight demonstrated the value of integrated, intelligence-led enforcement.
He said the operation highlighted SARS Customs' growing ability to detect and disrupt sophisticated smuggling syndicates through intelligence, data analysis and risk profiling.
Makhubu also thanked law enforcement agencies and international partners for their cooperation in tackling transnational drug trafficking and protecting South Africa's borders and legitimate economy.
SARS said the seizure forms part of intensified efforts to combat the illicit movement of narcotics and other prohibited goods through the country's ports of entry.