R40 million drug bust at OR Tambo, two arrested

On Monday, South African Revenue Service (Sars) customs officers at the OR Tambo international Airport made a huge drug bust worth R40 million, arresting two people in the process.

Officers announced the seizure of 67 pieces of calcium hydroxide used to produce crystal methamphetamine, otherwise known as “ice” or “tik”.

“The ‘party drug’ weighing 132.41kg and valued at R40 million, was intercepted at a cargo terminal,” reads the statement.

“The customs detector dog unit deployed for routine inspections on an incoming cargo flight. While observing the collection of cargo, a vehicle driver was noticed acting suspiciously.

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“The driver was loading goods from two boxes into his vehicle. The driver was approached and the officers requested an inspection.

According to the statement, the officers found 67 blocks of an unknown substance that originated from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“A drug testing kit was used on the contents, which tested positive for crystal meth. A criminal case was registered with the Saps [South African Police Service] for further investigation.

The importer and driver have since been arrested.

This is the second huge drug bust since June after officers uncovered mandrax, weighing 1,746kg and valued at R105 million, coming from Kenya.

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Sars Commissioner Edward Kieswetter hailed the efforts of the team that intercepted the drugs, saying this had prevented the youth from exposure to these substances.

“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 effort 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,” Kieswetter said.