‘Art’ drugs worth R37m seized at OR Tambo

South African Revenue Services (Sars) customs officials have seized 23kg of drugs with an estimated street value of R37 million destined for New Zealand at OR Tambo International Airport.

It is understood the narcotics disguised as moulded artwork were seized at the cargo sheds of the airport last week.

Sars said customs officers were conducting their inspection rounds when they came across a box headed for New Zealand.

“The box contained items of moulded artwork, which looked suspicious. The officers used a narcotics test kit and some of the items tested positive for crystal meth, which weighed 10kg.

“A test by the South African Police Service (Saps) on other items tested positive for fentanyl which weighed 13kg. The narcotics were handed over to the Saps for further investigation,” said Sars.

Sars commissioner Edward Kieswetter praised the vigilance of the customs officers who had detected the narcotics.

“Sars customs will spare no effort in stopping the export or import of narcotics and any illegal substance which cause so much pain and hardship for families, particularly their youth. Drug smugglers must know that our customs division is fully committed to this objective, and will act without fear or favour against those criminals involved in the drugs trade. They must know they will face the full might of the law,” Kieswetter said.

Last month, the Border Management Authority (BMA) port health team intercepted a consignment of harmful products and unregistered medicine at OR Tambo brought in on a flight from Nigeria.

BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi said 865kg of skin-lightening products and unregistered medicine were found last Thursday.

These products are prohibited in SA as they harm the skin. The products will be destroyed.

“Unregistered medicines were also found and detained for destruction. Port health and environmental health practitioners work closely with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority who play an important role in advising officials,” she said.