Pretoria - Liquid cocaine worth R2 million was confiscated at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday.
“The cocaine … was discovered in wine bottles in two parcels, each one marked as a ‘gift’ and wrapped in cheerful Christmas wrapping paper,” said the South African Revenue Service (SARS) on Thursday.
Customs officials inspected the two gift parcels which were en route to London as they had been profiled for examination at a well-known courier.
Officials found the content of each parcel to be “two bottles of wine”, but the liquid inside the bottles seemed thicker than wine. A closer inspection showed tempering with the mouth of the bottle and cracks sealed with glue.
“The liquid was consequently removed, tested and found to be cocaine. In accordance with legal procedure, the cocaine, weighing 7kg, was handed over to the police for further investigation and possible arrest,” said SARS.
The revenue service said it will continue to clamp down on smuggling across South African borders of illegal substances and other unwanted goods.
“Custom’s capacity has also been increased to enhance border control over the festive season,” it said. – SAnews.gov.za
