Drugs from India worth R4,7 mil seized at OR Tambo International Airport

South African Police Service

Drugs from India worth R4,7 mil seized at OR Tambo International Airport
Drugs from India worth R4,7 mil seized at OR Tambo International Airport. Photo: SAPS

The dedication and hard work of a Multidisciplinary team responsible for ensuring the safety and security of all at the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) has once again bore fruit after a consignment stashed with drugs was intercepted on Saturday, 8 August 2020.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the drugs worth an estimated street value of R4,7 million were destined for South Africa from India.

The Integrated Multi-Disciplinary Security Strategy which involves collaboration between ten Departments and Agencies at ORTIA, being:
The South African Police Service (ORS Border Policing, CI and DPCI) State Security Agency (SSA), SARS Customs, Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), Airports Company South Africa Security (ACSA), Department of Health (Port Health), Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) – continues to bear positive results.

A detection team from this joint operational capability at ORTIA, were following up on information provided by Crime Intelligence which led to the detection of the drugs weighing 21,4 kg hidden inside religious ornaments.

While investigations continue, South African Authorities have brought this matter to the attention of Authorities in India and are working closely to establish who the import agents are and to establish the destination point in the country.

No arrests have been made thus far and authorities are appealing to anyone whom many have information that could assist in this investigation to contact police by calling the Crime Stop Hotline Number on 0860010111 or download the MYSAPS App on any I Phone or Android device.

The public is reminded that they may remain anonymous and all information will be treated with the strictest of confidentiality.

SAPS Newsroom

South Africa Today – South Africa News

SOURCESouth African Police Service