- Scania SA confirmed reports that a shipment of its truck kits was used to smuggle illegal drugs into the country.
- The company says it is the second time this has occurred.
- The Hawks seized the consignment of illegal drugs from a container at the Durban harbour last month.
Scania South Africa has confirmed reports that a shipment of its truck kits - imported from Latin America and bound for regional production centres in South Africa - was used by a drug trafficking syndicate to smuggle illegal drugs into the country.
"The illegal shipment was seized by the Directorate of Priority Crime at the Durban harbour on 30 July 2021. This is the second time this has occurred. On 9 July 2021, a similar drug seizure occurred in Aeroton, Johannesburg," the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
News24 reported that the Hawks seized a consignment of cocaine worth R500 million from a container at the Durban harbour last month.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale previously said the massive amount of cocaine was found in a shipping container, which was carrying truck parts destined for Scania South Africa.
Investigators found 999 bricks of cocaine, weighing 1 000kg, with a street value of R500 million.
"This case is believed to be linked to a similar drug seizure on 9 July 2021, of 715kg in Aeroton, Johannesburg, coming from Durban Port, also disguised as Scania truck parts. During the seizure of the said consignment, four suspects were arrested, including three police officials. Investigations have revealed that the origin of all of these consignments is the Port of Santos in Brazil," Mogale said at the time.
Scania SA said the news that criminals were using its supply chain to perform illegal activities was unfortunate.
"Scania is responding to these events with the urgency they require. Scania South Africa is cooperating fully and in compliance with its legal obligations with the Hawks and their investigation. Delivering the highest standards of service excellence to our customers remains our continued focus, and we are confident these events will be resolved satisfactorily by the authorities."