THE SARS Durban Customs office seized 30 bricks of suspected narcotics with an estimated street value of R65m in a collaborative intelligence operation at the Durban Harbour in the early hours of yesterday morning (October 12).

According to SARS, the suspected narcotics were in the Reefer Refrigeration Unit of a vessel.

“On Monday at approximately 02:45, the Durban Customs Enforcement Team launched the Customs Marine Unit Patrol Vessel – Striker to go and intercept the motor vessel near the Fairway Bouy at Outer Anchorage about four nautical miles off the East Coast of Durban. The enforcement team intercepted the vessel as it entered the port and escorted it to its berth. The team then boarded the vessel, interviewed the Master of the vessel, and examined documentation to identify the location of a profiled container.

Also read: Police recover over R80 million worth of drugs at Durban Harbour

“The vessel was rummaged by the enforcement team and the container was located on the vessel where the Refrigeration Unit was examined. This resulted in one positive detection of bricks of suspected narcotics,” shared SARS Customs.

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter expressed his gratitude to the SARS Customs and other law enforcement agencies for their salutary work. He said, “Customs demonstrated its gallantry by working so hard and focused at the death of the night to intercept this vessel. This speaks to an unwavering commitment by SARS to protect our borders and keep at bay all criminals that are bent on shipping harmful substance that cause unmitigated suffering for our inhabitants.”

The drugs were reportedly handed over to SAPS, DPCI for further investigation, prosecution, and destruction.

*The article has been amended to state that the operation was conducted yesterday morning and not this morning as initially reported.

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