By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has intercepted a consignment suspected to contain large quantities of cocaine concealed inside heavy-duty excavation equipment imported through the Port of Durban.
The seizure was made during a targeted Customs and Excise operation conducted in the early hours of Saturday morning as part of an intensified crackdown on illicit trade and cross-border smuggling.
In a statement, SARS says customs officials identified the shipment for inspection after conducting risk assessments and cargo profiling on excavation machinery imported from South America.
During the operation, SARS detector dogs alerted officials to suspicious parcels hidden within two excavators. The South African Police Service (SAPS) subsequently secured scene while authorities removed approximately 90 large bricks of a substance believed to be pure cocaine.
Details regarding the weight, value, origin, and intended destination will be confirmed once laboratory testing is complete, adds SARS.
SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu says today’s interception reflects SARS’ strategic focus on strengthening customs enforcement at ports of entry and intensifying its crackdown on illicit trade.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” says Makhubu.
The operation also highlights the impact of SARS modernisation efforts. Investments in advanced cargo profiling systems, non-intrusive inspection technology, and data-driven risk engines are enabling faster, more accurate detection of illicit goods. These capabilities improve customs efficiency by allowing SARS to identify and intercept high-risk shipments without delaying legitimate trade, thereby supporting economic activity while enforcing compliance, says Makhubu.
SARS continues to build an integrated and responsive customs environment through coordinated action with law enforcement agencies and port stakeholders. This approach strengthens border management, enhances operational effectiveness and ensures that South Africa’s key trade gateways remain secure while facilitating the smooth flow of legitimate goods.
Makhubu adds, “SARS will sustain its crackdown on illicit trade. Our modernised customs capability allows us to target high-risk shipments with precision while facilitating compliant trade. This operation shows how we are restoring the integrity of our border environment and working with law enforcement to dismantle organised criminal networks. The Port of Durban remains a key trade gateway, and SARS will continue to strengthen enforcement through enhanced cargo profiling, technology-enabled inspections, and multi-agency cooperation.”