NATIONAL NEWS - The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has made a narcotics bust worth an estimated R65 million during a collaborative intelligence operation led at the Durban Harbour on Sunday morning.

Thirty bricks of suspected narcotics were seized during the operation that were stashed in the reefer refrigeration unit of a vessel.

“On [Sunday morning] 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 4 Nautical Miles of the East Coast of the Durban.

“The enforcement team intercepted the vessel as it was entering the port and escorted the vessel to its berth. The enforcement team boarded the vessel, interviewed the Master of the Vessel, and examined documentation to identify the location of a profiled container.

“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,” SARS said in a statement.

SARS Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter, commended the teams for the successful bust.

“Customs demonstrated its gallantry by working so hard and focussed 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,” Kieswetter said. – SAnews.gov.za

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