Durban — The South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs officials have seized drugs with an estimated street value of R65 million during a coordinated intelligence operation at the Durban Harbour early on Sunday morning.
The operation, which involved the SARS Durban Customs Enforcement Team and other law enforcement agencies, led to the discovery of 30 bricks of suspected narcotics concealed inside a refrigerated container aboard a vessel.
At around 2:45 a.m., the Customs Marine Unit launched a patrol vessel to intercept the ship near the Fairway Buoy, about four kilometres off the East Coast of Durban. The team escorted the vessel into the port, where customs officers boarded, interviewed the ship’s master, and inspected documentation to trace the flagged container.
A detailed search of the ship led to the discovery of the refrigerated unit containing the suspected drugs. The seized narcotics were handed over to the South African Police Service’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) for further investigation and prosecution.
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter commended the officers for their swift response and commitment to safeguarding the country’s borders. He said the operation reflected the agency’s dedication to preventing the smuggling of substances that bring harm to communities.
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