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The gold bars and some foreign currency were discovered after a security scanner identified irregular images and further inspection of his carry-on luggage.
FILE: OR Tambo International Airport. Image: @ ortambo_int / Twitter.
JOHANNESBURG – Three people will appear in Kempton Park Magistrates Court after gold weighing 73.5 kg and worth R61 million was found in their carry-on luggage at OR Tambo International Airport.
The trio had just flown to South Africa from Madagascar and were heading to Dubai via Ethiopia.
The gold bars and some currency were discovered after a security scanner identified irregular images and his carry-on luggage was inspected.
A multidisciplinary team consisting of the South African Police Service, customs officials from the South African Revenue Service, the Department of Health (Port Health officials) and officials from the Department of the Interior detained the trio at the international arrivals terminals.
Both the gold bars and foreign currency have been seized for further investigation under the Customs and Excise Law and the Exchange Control Regulations.
The suspects have been arrested and the matter has been taken up by the SAPS Organized Crime unit for criminal investigations.
Investigations are also being carried out by the Crime Priority Investigation Directorate with the assistance of Interpol, with authorities from various countries to determine the legitimacy of the certification documents provided by the men and also to determine the country of origin where gold was mined.
Investigations will also focus on which country the gold bars were destined for.
All three face charges of dealing with precious metals and violation of the Customs Law.
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