South African police bust international drug smuggling syndicate; 3 Britons face charges

SAfrica police bust drug smuggling syndicate

JOHANNESBURG — South African police say they’ve busted an international drug smuggling syndicate housed in a warehouse with African souvenirs.

South Africa’s prosecuting authority says three Britons face drug smuggling charges.

Spokesman Musa Zondi said two brothers appeared in a court near Durban on Wednesday. Another Briton appeared in court Tuesday.

Police seized drugs worth about $64 million (600 million rand) on Monday. The haul included about 253 pounds (115 kilograms) of heroin and just over 8 tons of hashish.

Two South Africans also were arrested.

It is believed the drugs were headed for the United Kingdom. The arrests come after London police last week seized drugs concealed in handicrafts on a flight from South Africa.