R65 Million Drug Bust: SARS Customs Strikes at Sea

This article will count 0.25 units (15 minutes) of unverifiable CPD. Remember to log these units under your membership profile.

In the early hours of Sunday, 12 October, SARS Durban Customs launched its marine patrol vessel Striker in a high-stakes operation to intercept a container ship off the East Coast. They targeted a refrigerated unit hiding 30 bricks of suspected narcotics with a street value of R65 million.

Working off sharp intelligence, the enforcement team boarded the vessel near Durban Harbour, located the profiled container, and made the bust. The drugs were handed over to SAPS and the Hawks for further action.

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter praised the operation, calling it “gallant” and proof of SARS’ “unwavering commitment to protect our borders.”

This proves that crime doesn’t sleep but neither do our customs officers. SARS - thank you for making our streets safer.