The South African Revenue Service (Sars) intercepted two bags filled with a total of ten rhino horns worth an estimated R4.99 million at OR Tambo International Airport (Ortia).
In a statement released today (Tuesday), Sars said that the horns weighed about 25 kilograms and had been confiscated from two passengers’ bags on Sunday.
“The discovery was made when Customs officials followed up on a suspicious bag which led to a second bag that was offloaded from the cargo hold of the plane bound for Turkey,” said a Sars spokesperson.
The contents were scanned and on inspection found to contain the rhino horn, and both passengers and their bags containing the horns were handed over to the South African Police Service.
The revenue service highlighted that it would continue to work with all stakeholders – including law enforcement – at all ports of entry in order to reduce illicit trade activities.
