Cape Town - Sars Customs officials recently seized a substance used to manufacture Mandrax found hidden aboard a truck transporting hair extensions from Mozambique to South Africa.
Sars said Customs inspectors from Lebombo Customs Detector Dog Unit (DDU) were conducting random searches of cargo at the imports channel at the Lebombo border post when they stopped a yellow truck with two trailers en route to South Africa.
“The officers engaged the driver, a Zimbabwean citizen, to perform a manual inspection to verify the declared goods, which were declared as boxes of hair extensions. A Customs officer requested the declaration documents from the driver which were handed over to the officer.
“The seal numbers were verified and found to be correct, and the inspector continued with his search of the rest of the vehicle. A toolbox was opened, and nine bags weighing 22kg of an unknown powder was found. The powder was tested on site by using the generic and cocaine test kit and found to be positive as a narcotics substance,” Sars said.
The truck driver fled the scene during the inspection.
The goods and the vehicle were handed over to police for further investigation with the SAPS forensic laboratory later confirming that the substance was N-Acetylanthralinic Acid which is the precursor in the synthesis of Methaqualone (Mandrax) manufacturing.
“The estimated value of the substance is close to R5 million. However, once this powder is used to manufacture Mandrax tablets, the drug would have a hugely higher value,” Sars said.
The substance and the vehicle were handed over to the SAPS for further investigation.
In a separate incident at the Skilpadshek border post with Botswana, a Sars Customs officer randomly intercepted a South African registered truck carrying 1433 cases of undeclared, suspected illicit Remington Gold cigarettes.
The contents of the truck were declared as wastepaper to the value of R48 500. During the inspection, the Customs officer however found that the wastepaper was used to cover the cases of cigarettes. The value of the cigarettes is estimated at R21 million.
“The truck driver pretended to be opening the other side of the truck and fled the inspection area.
“The truck and master cases of cigarettes were detained at Skilpadshek border post. A criminal case against the driver, clearing agent and transport company is underway,” Sars said.
Sars commissioner Edward Kieswetter praised the Customs officers and the DDU for their vigilance in preventing illicit cigarettes and substances from entering the country.
“The legal tobacco and cigarette industry in the country needs to be supported and Sars has shown once again that it is playing its part.
“Similarly, the trade in narcotics needs to be smashed. These drugs have a harmful effect on all users, which unfortunately includes young persons who have the potential to contribute greatly to the prosperity of our country,” Kieswetter said.
Cape Times