SARS customs intercepts rhino horn at OR Tambo
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs unit
working with the police successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle rhino horn
out of the country after receiving information about the suspicious luggage en
route to Abu-Dhabi.
The Customs team responded by dispatching officers to the baggage area where the luggage was scanned, revealing images.
Two items of luggage wrapped in plastic were taken to the Customs search area, where the luggage was rescanned and searched.
Upon inspection, 17 pieces of rhino horn, weighing 25kg were found.
It's understood the passenger was then taken in for questioning by police amid further investigations.
SARS has seen increased attempts to smuggle rhino horn through the OR Tambo International Airport.
During the period July 2020 to April 2022 there were seven (9) rhino horn detections totalling 137 pieces and weighing 482kg, detected through profiling and information-sharing networks.
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter welcomed the tax authority's efforts to clamp down on criminal elements.
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“It is clear that the criminals have become more brazen in smuggling, especially the rhino horn. The exemplary efforts by Customs officers working with their counterparts in the South African Police Service to stem these heinous crimes deserve the commendation of all South Africans. Our message must be unambiguous to these criminal syndicates, that we will spare no effort in confronting and dealing with them. Our future generation deserves to see the national heritage of our wild animals.
“As a country, we do not only need to protect these endangered species but ensure that those bent on this way of life, are prosecuted, convicted and sentenced to prison for a long time. This is deliberate and systemic sabotage of our economy," Kieswetter added.
