On 06 June 2026, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) intercepted consignments suspected to contain illicit drugs during a targeted Customs and Excise operation at the Port of Durban in the early hours of the morning.
The consignments were identified during the inspection of heavy-duty excavation equipment imported from South America. Following customs risk assessment and cargo profiling, SARS Customs officials stopped and examined the shipment.
SARS detector dogs alerted to suspicious parcels concealed within two excavators. The South African Police Service (SAPS) secured the scene, after which the parcels, estimated at approximately 90 large bricks of pure cocaine, were removed.
The SARS Commissioner said that the interception reflected SARS’ strategic focus on strengthening customs enforcement at ports of entry and intensifying its crackdown on illicit trade. “Through intelligence-led operations, SARS is targeting high-risk consignments with precision, disrupting cross-border smuggling and illicit financial flows that erode the domestic economy and undermine compliant trade.“
The operation also highlights the impact of SARS modernisation efforts. Investments in advanced cargo profiling systems, non-intrusive inspection technology, and data-driven risk engines are enabling faster, more accurate detection of illicit goods. These capabilities improve customs efficiency by allowing SARS to identify and intercept high-risk shipments without delaying legitimate trade, thereby supporting economic activity. At the same time, it enforces compliance, the SARS Commissioner says.
SARS continues to build an integrated and responsive customs environment through coordinated action with law enforcement agencies and port stakeholders. This approach strengthens border management, enhances operational effectiveness and ensures that South Africa’s key trade gateways remain secure while facilitating the smooth flow of legitimate goods.
SARS has urged importers, exporters and logistics operators to see compliance as vital, fostering a collaborative effort to maintain trade security and integrity.