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By IOL Reporter 
4h ago
Johannesburg – Authorities arrested three suspected smugglers after 73.5 kg of gold and foreign currency were found in their carry-on luggage at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
The trio had flown to South Africa from Madagascar and were heading to Dubai via Ethiopia last week when they were detained, the SAPS said.
Airport officials alerted authorities after a security scanner identified irregular images. A multidisciplinary team that included SAPS and customs officials from the South African Revenue Service pounced on the trio at the international arrivals terminals.
Officials, after further questioning and inspection of the suspects’ carry-on luggage, discovered the gold bars, worth 61 million rand, and some foreign currency.
The trio has been arrested and the matter has been taken up by the SAPS Organized Crime unit for criminal investigations.
The Priority Criminal Investigation Directorate, with the assistance of Interpol, has launched an investigation to determine the legitimacy of the certification documents provided by the suspects and to determine the country of origin where the gold was mined. Investigations will also focus on which country the gold bars were destined for.
The suspects are expected to appear in Kempton Park Magistrates Court on charges of trafficking in precious metals and violation of customs law.
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