Police seize R23 million cocaine in Beitbridge

POLICE have seized about 80 kilogrammes of cocaine worth about R23 million, the biggest ever cocaine haul in Zimbabwe, from haulage truck at Beitbridge Border Post in Limpopo yesterday.

According to online sources , South African Revenue Services (SARS) spokesperson Marika Muller confirmed the incident and said the customs team at Beit Bridge border post confiscated its biggest ever shipment of cocaine as it was being smuggled into the country.

"SARS can confirm that we seized cocaine worth about R23 million, concealed in a truck attempting to enter South Africa from Zimbabwe. The truck had started its trip in Malawi.

"The truck had been identified for closer searches, and had been moved out of the processing queue to be checked," said Muller.

She said inside the truck's cabin the customs team found bags containing wrapped A4-sized parcels which the driver claimed contained his clothes.

"Initial inspection indicated the parcels contained a soft white substance," Muller said.

"After a full physical search the team found 100 A4 parcels weighing 800 grams, each containing smaller packages of a white powder," she added.

Muller said the powder was confirmed as cocaine by chemical testing.

"This is the single biggest seizure of cocaine ever at Beit Bridge. The truck driver was arrested and the truck was seized. Contacted for comment, Limpopo police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ronel Otto confirmed the incident.

"I can confirm the incident but since SARS has issued out a statement, I will not comment, rather you should refer top the statement," she said.