ON Wednesday, SARS led a collaborative intelligence-driven operation that resulted in the seizure of narcotics with an estimated street value of R56m.

It is reported that a Customs Marine Patrol vessel intercepted a cargo ship near the Fairway Buoy at outer anchorage approximately four nautical miles off the east coast of Durban and escorted it to its berth in the harbour.

“Customs enforcement officers boarded the vessel and located several containers identified before the arrival of the vessel as posing a potential risk for smuggling. The inspection resulted in the discovery of 25 large bricks of suspected cocaine hidden in the refrigeration units of several containers. A field drug test was conducted and positively identified the goods as cocaine of a very high quality, suitable for further dilution and expansion into larger volumes for illicit distribution,” shared SARS.

Also read: R360 000 drugs consignment recovered in Point, Petroport

SARS commissioner Edward Kieswetter commended the officers for their efforts to not only disrupt the criminal infiltration of narcotics into the country, but also to protect society from its harmful effects.

He said, “This success points to the success of collaboration with our counterparts from Brazil. It is such collaboration that communicates concrete co-operation within BRICS countries that deal a heavy blow against organised crime syndicates. This achievement also signals that the efforts by all law enforcement agencies in our country are taking on the challenge of protecting our borders.”

Customs officers reportedly seized the goods and handed it over to the SAPS for further safekeeping, investigation and prosecution.

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