CAPE TOWN – Customs officers at the OR Tambo International Airport have seized 67 pieces of calcium hydroxide used to produce “ice” or “tik” valued at R40-million.
Weighing 132.41kg, the “party drug” was intercepted at a cargo terminal by Sars officers.
The goods declared as personal effects originated from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Sars said the Customs Detector Dog Unit deployed for routine inspections on an incoming cargo flight observed the collection of cargo when the driver was seen acting suspiciously. The driver was loading goods from two boxes into his vehicle.
“The driver was approached, and the officers requested an inspection. The officers found 67 blocks of an unknown substance that originated from Addis Ababa. A drug testing kit was used on the contents, which tested positive for crystal meth,” said Sars.
The importer and driver were arrested after the Hawks were alerted.
Sars Commissioner Edward Kieswetter hailed the efforts of the team, saying: “If no action was taken, our country and our youth would have been exposed to the danger of drugs. Sars, acting in concert with other law enforcement agencies, will spare no efforts in confronting those involved in these crimes and stop the supply of these harmful drugs that threatens to derail the future of our country and destroy, especially our youth.”
A previous detection at the airport uncovered mandrax weighing 1 746kg and valued at R105-million, inbound from Kenya in June.
Cape Times