SARS to intensify border searches

THE South African Revenue Services (SARS) says it will intensify border searches following recent discoveries of explosives and illicit cigarettes at the Beit Bridge border post.

A panel van travelling from Zimbabwe to South Africa was intercepted by customs officers for a random search last week.

‘All passengers were ordered to go through the customs red and green channels,’ SARS said in a statement.

‘During the search, officers found two bags left unattended in the vehicle and when the driver was questioned, he claimed he did not know who the owner was.

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‘Customs officers searched the bags in the presence of the driver and found explosives.

‘The police’s bomb squad were immediately called in to identify the explosives. A criminal case was opened and a Zimbabwean national and the explosives were handed over to the police.’

This incident followed another bust during a random search of a bus by customs officers last week, which led to the discovery of cartons of Pacific Blue cigarettes hidden in 40 bags.

The estimated street value of the cigarettes is more than R966 000.

‘The bags belonged to a Zimbabwean national.

‘The goods were declared to customs officers as 500 brooms packed in 40 bags in the bus trailer. Upon physical inspection, it was discovered that the illicit cigarettes were concealed under the brooms.

‘The police were called to the scene and a criminal case opened. The passenger was handed over to the police and the bus was released after all necessary processes were completed,’ SARS said.

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