A 33-year-old suspect is expected to appear at Kempton Park Regional Court on Monday, 10 May 2021, facing charges of contravening the Customs Act 91 of 1964 and Precious Metals Act 37 of 2005 respectively.
This follows his arrest at the Oliver Reginald Tambo International Airport, in Johannesburg by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team on Saturday afternoon.
The traveller was requested to scan his luggage at International Arrivals Customs section of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), where 23 pieces of gold were allegedly found on his luggage. He allegedly failed to declare any items and did not have any permits or licences to be in possession to transport gold. The Hawks were called to effect the arrest and further investigation.
The preliminary investigation by the Hawks revealed that the suspect travelled from Harare, Zimbabwe to Johannesburg, South Africa. The 23 pieces of gold worth R11 million were seized for further investigation.
