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Some of the money that was hidden in a backpack, the rest in checked-in bag. Photographs: SARS
A Mozambican citizen is in police custody in South Africa after being detained with $1 million in cash at Johannesburg international airport OR Tambo, a police force spokesperson told Lusa on Thursday.
Police spokesperson Katlego Mogale said the man was detained on Monday at the international airport when he was in transit to another destination which was not specified.
The detention by South African police happened when the suspect was stopped by customs officials of the South African Revenue Service with around $1 million (over €878,000) in notes, which he was carrying in two bags, according to the same source.
The South African police spokesperson also told Lusa that the individual was Mozambican and was under custody, having appeared on Wednesday at Kempton Park court outside Johannesburg.
Read the full SARS’ communique on the incident below:
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs officers intercepted a suspected currency smuggler in possession of 997 750 US dollars which equates to R13 798 882.00 at OR Tambo International Airport on Monday, 25 February.
The male passenger had a backpack in his possession at the time. During initial interactions, the officers conducted a physical inspection of the backpack, and in the process, the passenger confirmed that he also had one checked-in bag.
The officers then proceeded to retrieve the bag and instructed the passenger to go into the Customs search area, where he was further interviewed.
During the interview, he admitted to be in possession of foreign currency, but he attempted to downplay the amount. It was however discovered that most of the foreign currency had been concealed at the bottom of two bags.
When he failed to provide a credible explanation for the currency, the officers then apprehended the suspect, and subsequently handed him over to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
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