Pretoria – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has intercepted a currency consignment worth R7 million at King Shaka International Airport, in Durban.
“This is the airport’s largest currency bust this year,” said the revenue service of Sunday’s bust.
The bust was made when SARS customs officers and a baggage handler became suspicious when three suitcases scheduled for loading at the departing Emirates flight to Amman (in Jordan) via Dubai were being removed from the international arrivals hall.
Upon investigation, it was established the owner of the bags requested a change on the bags’ final destination without making a declaration to customs.
“SARS customs officials directed the bags for a luggage scan. The scanned images identified were neither clothing nor personal items but South African rand bank notes with a total of R7 049 320 in the suitcases,” said the revenue service on Tuesday.
The passenger and consignment were handed over to the South African Police Service for possible criminal prosecution.