Indian officials recently announced they intercepted a drug shipment worth R4.3 billion, hidden in shipments of apples, pears and oranges, imported from South Africa. South African authorities have now pledged to help them investigate the smuggling.
On 1 October the Indian government’s Press Information Bureau said 158 kg of crystal amphetamine and 9 kg of cocaine were discovered in a truck that was intercepted in Vashi, Navi Mumbai. The drugs, worth roughly R3.2-billion, were discovered in containers of Valencia oranges that were imported to India from South Africa.
On 6 October a container carrying pears and green apples, also imported from South Africa, was intercepted at the Nhava Sheva port; fifty bricks of cocaine worth about R1.1 billion, were discovered hidden among the fruit.
This week national South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe told Daily Maverick that the major drug busts in India had been discussed during the 90th Interpol General Assembly held there between 18 and 21 October.
Mathe: “The Indian authorities requested assistance in a case where drugs were allegedly found in consignments of fruits. The senior officers, inclusive of SAPS and Hawks members, pledged their full support to assist Indian authorities with the investigation to determine the source of the drugs and other aspects related to the case.”
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Source: dailymaverick.co.za