JOHANNESBURG: South Africa Customs officials seized rhino horn and perlemoen among illicit goods worth millions, Customs spokesperson said here the other day.
In the biggest ever seizure of rhino horn, two men travelling from Maputo to Vietnam via OR Tambo International Airport were caught with horns weighing 41kg and worth more than R4.5m.
The 100kg haul of perlemoen, which had been destined for Hong Kong, was found in a cargo shipment at the airport, said spokesperson Marika Muller.
She said customs officials also seized drugs with a street value of more than R67m, and contraband cigarettes and male sexual enhancement tablets last month.
In the biggest of seven drugs busts, 200kg of crystal methamphetamine worth about R59m on the street was discovered in two cargo shipments from Benin to Johannesburg.
“In all cases, the drugs seized and the individuals involved were handed over to the SA Police Service for further action.” said Muller.
She said a former Sars employee was also convicted of two counts of tax fraud and was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
