A consignment of drugs from India weighing more than 20kg, hidden inside “religious ornaments” has been confiscated at the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) in Johannesburg.
The police said the estimated value of the haul, seized on Saturday, is about R4.7m.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Athlenda said this was a result of “the dedication and hard work of a multidisciplinary team responsible for ensuring the safety and security of all” at the airport.
“A detection team from this joint operational team at the airport were following up on information provided by crime intelligence which led to the detection of the drugs weighing 21.4kg hidden inside religious ornaments”.
The ornaments were destined for SA from India.
“Preliminary investigations have revealed that the drugs worth an estimated street value of R4, 7 million were destined for South Africa from India,” Athlenda said.
10 departments and agencies at the airport were involved in the bust.
They include the SAPS, state security agency, customs, Ekurhuleni metro police department, Airports Company SA Security, department of health (port health), department of environment, forestry and fisheries, department of agriculture, land reform and rural development and the department of international relations and co-operation.
“While investigations continue, SA authorities have brought this matter to the attention of authorities in India and are working closely to establish who the import agents are and to establish the destination point in the country,” said Mathe.
Although, no one has been arrested yet.
Police appealed to anyone with information that could assist in the investigation to contact the Crime Stop hotline number on 0860010111 or download the MYSAPSApp.
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