In the latest incident last Monday, dogs sniffed out 197kg of cocaine disguised as shampoo en route from Sao Paolo, Brazil, in transit to Australia.
SARS spokesperson Sandile Memela says: “It was subsequently discovered that the shampoo contained a white cream which dried up quicker than normal cream and also become powdery when dry. Narcotic testing revealed that the cream reacted positive for cocaine.”
The goods were handed over to the Hawks for further investigating and safe-keeping.
On 5 July, customs officials intercepted a man from Beira in Mozambique, in transit to Dubai, carrying $501 332 (approximately R6.7 million). The suspect, who claimed to be a businessman, failed to declare excess currency in his possession.
SARS Customs officials searched his carry-on luggage and discovered that it contained the currency in varying denominations.