Sars has intercepted consignments suspected to contain illicit drugs during a targeted Customs and Excise operation at the Port of Durban in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Image: Sars | Supplied
IN THE dead of early Saturday morning, during a highly targeted customs and excise operation, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) struck a major blow against organised crime, intercepting shipments suspected of harboring illicit drugs at the Port of Durban.
The contraband was hidden in plain sight. Following strict customs risk assessments and cargo profiling, Sars officials zeroed in on heavy duty excavation equipment imported from South America, according to a statement released on Saturday. They stopped and thoroughly examined the shipment.
The revenue service said detector dogs sniffed out the deception, alerting officers to suspicious parcels cleverly concealed within two excavators. The South African Police Service (SAPS) immediately secured the scene. Officers then extracted the parcels, which are estimated to be about 90 large bricks of pure cocaine.
The tax authorities did not wait for a lab to sound the alarm. Preliminary testing with a Sars mobile drug detection kit already indicated the substance was cocaine.
This massive seizure forms part of an intensified crackdown by Sars on illicit trade and cross-border smuggling. The seized material has been handed over to SAPS for rigorous forensic analysis and a full criminal investigation, according to the revenue service.
Details regarding the exact weight, value, origin, and intended destination will only be confirmed once laboratory testing is complete.
Sars Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu made it clear that this interception was no accident. It reflected a strategic focus on strengthening customs enforcement at ports of entry.
Sars has intercepted consignments suspected to contain illicit drugs during a targeted Customs and Excise operation at the Port of Durban in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Image: Sars | Supplied
He said that through intelligence-led operations, Sars was targeting high-risk consignments with precision. This would disrupt cross-border smuggling and illicit financial flows that actively erode the domestic economy and undermine compliant trade.
The operation also proves the real-world impact of modernisation efforts. Investments in advanced cargo profiling systems, non-intrusive inspection technology, and data-driven risk engines are enabling faster and more accurate detection of illicit goods.
Makhubu emphasised that these capabilities would improve customs efficiency. They would allow Sars to identify and intercept high-risk shipments without delaying legitimate trade. This supports economic activity while strictly enforcing compliance.
Sars continues to build an integrated and responsive customs environment through coordinated action with law enforcement agencies and port stakeholders, according to the statement. This approach strengthens border management and enhances operational effectiveness. It ensures that key trade gateways in South Africa remain secure while facilitating the smooth flow of legitimate goods.
Makhubu reiterated that Sars would sustain its crackdown on illicit trade. He noted that modernised customs capability allowed them to target high-risk shipments with precision while facilitating compliant trade.
He further said that this operation showed how they were restoring the integrity of the border environment and working with law enforcement to dismantle organised criminal networks.
The Port of Durban remains a key trade gateway. Sars said it would continue to strengthen enforcement through enhanced cargo profiling, technology-enabled inspections, and multi-agency cooperation.
The commissioner saluted the customs team alongside other law enforcement agencies for this extraordinary work. He declared that South Africa was truly thankful for their watchful and commendable efforts.
The taxman then issued a stark warning to the industry, urging importers, exporters, and logistics operators to view compliance as vital. “Only a collaborative effort can maintain trade security and integrity.”