Customs officials at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) on Friday arrested five people caught in possession of undeclared currency with an estimated value of R78 million.
The suspects were nabbed as they were about to board a United Arab Emirates flight bound for Dubai.
“Risk profiling earlier by SARS custom officials‚ identified the passengers‚ and led to their apprehension as they boarded the aircraft at 21h45‚” the South African Revenue Service said in a statement on Monday.
It said the suspects were in possession of eight luggage bags and four backpacks.
“Upon noticing the SARS officials‚ the passengers retreated and headed back to the entrance of the boarding gate.
At this point‚ officials closed the boarding gate door and the passengers were compelled to wait for the SARS officials.
“When questioned by SARS officials on whether they were in possession of any currency‚ one of the passengers speaking on behalf of the group stated that he had R100‚000 and that the other individuals also had currency‚” SARS said.
The five individuals were escorted back to immigration at international arrivals‚ booked back into South Africa and escorted to Customs.
“In total‚ 11 bags‚ in which the currency was held‚ were sealed in the presence of the travellers to be handed over to the South African Reserve Bank for further investigation‚” SARS added.
SARS officials seize R78m in undeclared currency at OR Tambo
Customs officials at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) on Friday arrested five people caught in possession of undeclared currency with an estimated value of R78 million.
The suspects were nabbed as they were about to board a United Arab Emirates flight bound for Dubai.
“Risk profiling earlier by SARS custom officials‚ identified the passengers‚ and led to their apprehension as they boarded the aircraft at 21h45‚” the South African Revenue Service said in a statement on Monday.
It said the suspects were in possession of eight luggage bags and four backpacks.
“Upon noticing the SARS officials‚ the passengers retreated and headed back to the entrance of the boarding gate.
At this point‚ officials closed the boarding gate door and the passengers were compelled to wait for the SARS officials.
“When questioned by SARS officials on whether they were in possession of any currency‚ one of the passengers speaking on behalf of the group stated that he had R100‚000 and that the other individuals also had currency‚” SARS said.
The five individuals were escorted back to immigration at international arrivals‚ booked back into South Africa and escorted to Customs.
“In total‚ 11 bags‚ in which the currency was held‚ were sealed in the presence of the travellers to be handed over to the South African Reserve Bank for further investigation‚” SARS added.
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