SARS intercepts suspected cocaine consignment at Durban port
· The South African
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has intercepted a major suspected drug shipment during a targeted customs operation at the Port of Durban, uncovering what is believed to be a large quantity of cocaine concealed inside imported excavation equipment.
The seizure was made in the early hours of Saturday after SARS Customs officials identified suspicious consignments during the inspection of heavy-duty excavators imported from South America.
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Shipment was flagged
According to SARS, the shipment was flagged through customs risk assessment and cargo profiling processes, prompting officials to conduct a detailed examination of the equipment.
The breakthrough came when SARS detector dogs alerted officials to suspicious packages hidden within two excavators.
Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) were called to secure the scene while the concealed parcels were removed.
Preliminary testing conducted using a SARS mobile drug detection kit indicated that the substance is cocaine.
Authorities estimate that approximately 90 large bricks of suspected pure cocaine were recovered during the operation.
Handed over to SAPS
The seized material has been handed over to SAPS for further forensic testing and criminal investigation.
Officials said the exact weight, street value, origin and intended destination of the drugs will only be confirmed once laboratory analysis has been completed.
SARS Commissioner Johnstone Makhubu described the seizure as a significant success in the agency’s ongoing fight against illicit trade and organised crime.
“Through intelligence-led operations, SARS is targeting high-risk consignments with precision, disrupting cross-border smuggling and illicit financial flows that erode the domestic economy and undermine compliant trade,” Makhubu said.
He added that the operation demonstrated the benefits of SARS’ modernisation programme, which includes advanced cargo profiling systems, non-intrusive inspection technology and data-driven risk analysis tools.
High-risk shipments
According to Makhubu, these systems enable customs officials to identify and intercept high-risk shipments more effectively while ensuring that legitimate trade continues to flow through South Africa’s ports without unnecessary delays.
The commissioner said SARS would continue strengthening customs enforcement through technology-driven inspections, enhanced cargo profiling and close cooperation with law enforcement agencies and port stakeholders.
He also praised the customs officials, detector dog units and law enforcement personnel involved in the operation, saying their vigilance had helped protect South Africa’s borders from organised criminal activity.
The Port of Durban remains one of Africa’s busiest trade gateways, making it a key focus area in SARS’ efforts to combat smuggling and safeguard the integrity of the country’s import and export systems.
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