[PICS] SARS seizes equipment behind 'new drug craze'
The South African Revenue Services (SARS) in the Customs Division at the OR Tambo International Airport have seized catalytic converters and crushed powder from the core of a catalytic converter.
The three seizures were made on Wednesday and are estimated to be worth R21 million.
SARS says in the statement that the crushed powder extracted from the core of the catalytic converter is contributing to a "new drug craze".
"A catalytic converter contains metals such as palladium, rhodium, platinum and gold. Through a refinery process these precious metals can be extracted and used for the manufacture of jewelry, car parts as well as weaponry.
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"The core of a catalytic converter which cuts the emission of toxic gases can be crushed into a fine powder and used in the manufacture of a toxic drug. This has led to a spike in the theft of catalytic converters in some countries," says SARS in a statement.
The catalytic converters and the powder extracted from the core of a catalytic converter were concealed in metal drums and bags.
These were detected by the customs dog detector unit.
The three shipments which weighed 2 649kg, were destined for Dubai, the United Kingdom and Jordan.
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