direct flights from Dubai to Durban could be proving a boon to drug smugglers

introduction of direct flights from Dubai to Durban could be proving a boon to drug smugglers. This week at Durban International Airport police and custom officials seized pure heroin that, once "cut", would have had a street value of more than R2,5-million. A 20-year-old Cape Town woman was arrested and will appear in court next week.Police and airport officials said with Durban opening up to international air traffic, drug syndicates would increasingly target these flights.The 1kg of powder was covered with carbon paper - to make it more difficult to detect - and stitched inside cricket shin pads.Police from Crime Intelligence Gathering were tipped off that a consignment of drugs was en route to Durban from India via Dubai.Police believe the bust could be the "tip of the iceberg" as another woman, who was travelling with the suspect, gave police the slip.
Investigating officer Detective Carl Saunders of the Organised Crime Unit said the bust was linked to international and local crime syndicates who were taking advantage of the new route to bring drugs into Durban.
He said the value of the uncut drugs was about R500 000, but once cut by dealers and sold on the streets was worth five times the amount.The bust was set in motion on Thursday after Crime Intelligence informed custom officials to be on the lookout for suspicious-looking travellers from Dubai. About 275 passengers were on board the Emirates flight from Dubai.Using CCTV footage police and custom officials picked up two women acting suspiciously. One was "nervous and fidgeting" and was called aside for questioning. Her luggage contained sports equipment, which was X-rayed.
Officials noticed there was an "unevenness" in the lining of the shin pads. On further investigation police found brown powder wrapped in carbon paper neatly stitched into the shin pads. "It was really well done. There was no indication that the packaging had been tampered with," a customs official said.Police identified the substance as pure heroin and the woman was arrested. However, her travelling companion gave police the slip and it is believed she may have also been carrying drugs.An official explained that syndicates often used tip-offs as decoys, giving up a small amount of a consignment to distract from a bigger haul.
Saunders said it was not yet clear whether the drugs originated in India, but the woman's steps would be traced.Airports Company of South Africa spokesman Colin Naidoo said they were aware of the increased risk of smuggling due to direct flights to Durban, but that authorities were vigilant."We have a close relationship with the police and customs officials and commend them for their efforts," he said.Naidoo said new technology at King Shaka Airport (due to open on May 1) would make it more difficult to smuggle drugs into Durban.
"We want to assure the public that we are keeping a close eye on activities and that this will increase during the World Cup and beyond," Naidoo said.