SARS seizes R56 million drug stash

An intelligence-driven operation led by the South African Revenue Services (SARS) resulted in the seizure of R56 million worth of cocaine in Durban on 3 September.

SARS reported that the bust followed Customs Marine Patrol intercepting a cargo ship near Fairway Buoy, off the East coast of Durban.

After the ship was escorted back to the harbour, customs officials located several shipping containers that had been identified prior to the ship’s arrival as posing a risk of smuggling.

According to SARS, officials discovered 25 large bricks of what was suspected to be cocaine, “of a very high quality suitable for further dilution and expansion into larger volumes for illicit distribution.”

After seizing the goods, SARS officials handed them to the South African Police Force (SAPS) for safekeeping, investigation, and prosecution.

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter commended the officers involved in the bust for not only disrupting the smuggling of narcotics but also protecting and keeping them out of South African society.

“This points to the success of collaboration with our counterparts from Brazil. It is such collaboration that communicates concrete cooperation within BRICS countries that deals a heavy blow against organised crime syndicates,” he said.

“This achievement also signals that the efforts by all law enforcement agencies in our county are taking on the challenge of protecting our borders.”

Brazil has become a common point of origin for the trafficking of illicit substances like cocaine into South Africa.

In October 2024, customs officials seized 47 bricks of cocaine, weighing about 50 kilograms, at OR Tambo International Airport.

The drugs were packed in a suitcase and spotted by customs officials and airport security on a carousel for a flight from Sao Paulo.

However, no passenger was found to be accompanying the bag and no arrests were made.

“Sao Paolo in Brazil is a high-risk departure point for drug mules, accompanied as well as unaccompanied luggage containing cocaine,” SARS said following the attack.

It was noted at the time that there had been several busts of drug mules at the airport in recent weeks.