There have been 20 interceptions of cocaine entering South Africa from South America at OR Tambo International Airport since the beginning of the year according to the South African Revenue Service (Sars).
Sars spokesperson Sandile Memela told FTW Online that so far this year 357.3 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of about R103 million had been confiscated at the airport by customs.
“On average, Customs officials intercept cocaine four times a month, although there were seven interceptions in January this year,” added Memela.
He noted, however, that Sars figures did not indicate an increase in cocaine smuggling through the airport in Johannesburg.
Based on reports by the South African Police Service (SAPS), in most cases the cocaine was not intended for South Africa but was destined for Maputo, Mozambique, and originated in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Most of the incidents involved passengers smuggling the drugs into the country by hiding them in luggage. One passenger tried to disguise the cocaine by placing it in ten tins of canned fruit inside three handbags stored inside her luggage, according to a statement by the SAPS.
