BLOEMFONTEIN: In less than one week‚ South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs service has uncovered huge amounts of Viagra‚ Mandrax and cocaine in four separate busts with an estimated total value of R48.8m.
On Sunday night‚ a member of the Lebombo detector dog unit discovered R3m worth of Mandrax hidden in a truck entering SA from Mozambique. After searching the truck‚ six bags weighing 25kg were found hidden in the truck.
The packages were immediately tested and it was found to contain the drug Methaqualone (also known as Mandrax). In total‚ 66‚000 Mandrax tablets were uncovered.
The driver was arrested and a case of possession of narcotics was opened against him.
According to www.drugaware.co.za‚ SA is the largest abuser of Mandrax in the world.
In a separate incident‚ a woman was found to have concealed more than 4kg of cocaine in books‚ which were in her check-in luggage at OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday. The drugs were valued at more than R1.2m and the woman is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court.
These incidents follow the discovery of 401‚000 Viagra tablets on July 16 at the airport.
In what is the largest Viagra bust at the airport‚ customs officials discovered 24 boxes weighing 481kg. A full inspection of the boxes led to the discovery of 199‚800 Zenegra (which have the same ingredients as Viagra) and 210‚200 Viagra tablets with an estimated value of R40.1m.
Customs officials at OR Tambo airport also uncovered about 15.3kg of cocaine hidden in a passenger’s luggage on July 15. Further investigations revealed that the substance was pure cocaine with a street value of R4.4m.
“These busts are significant seizures and are a result of ever-improving systems‚ process enhancements and a renewed commitment to combating organised crime and illicit trade activities introduced by SARS commissioner‚ Tom Moyane upon taking office.
“SARS will continue to work with other law enforcement agencies to protect the country and its citizens by disrupting organised crime‚” said spokesman Luther Lebelo.
