We don't check every parcel, says SARS after rhino horn find
Not every parcel that goes through OR Tambo International Airport's mail centre is checked by customs officials, SARS said yesterday. SARS spokesman Luther Lebelo said he had no information about three parcels containing rhino horn that passed through the airport from Mozambique to Hong Kong.He said there was a possibility that some parcels of contraband went through the airport's mail centre without being detected."There is a big mail centre at the OR Tambo airport and there are SARS customs officials working there. From time to time, depending on a number of things, such as the profile of luggage or parcels, they will search those parcels and find drugs or illegal items."Not every parcel is checked."The Hong Kong government last week said customs officials found rhino horn in three express air parcels at Hong Kong International Airport."The parcels were declared to contain 'wood sample' arriving on different flights from Pemba, Mozambique, to Hong Kong via Johannesburg, South Africa."Customs officers found 10 slabs among wood products in the parcels. Each slab was wrapped in aluminium foil ."The 10 slabs were suspected to be cut from two whole rhino horns," the government said...
There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.
From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.
For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.
Already subscribed? Sign in below.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.