Brazilian chicken exporters, who have not only been found sending container loads of dumped chicken imports to South Africa, are now under investigation because drug cartels are using those imports to conceal large amounts of cocaine for use in South Africa or for onward distribution.
The illegal cocaine trade, which happens without the knowledge of producers and importers, was highlighted yet again by a drug bust in the port of Durban, apparently one of the cartel’s favourite destinations. There was also a Brazilian raid which stopped another South Africa-bound consignment leaving that country.
Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of beef and poultry. The use of that trade to conceal drugs both in meat packages and in the shipping containers has been detailed in articles in the Daily Maverick.
South Africa is not the only destination for Brazil’s cocaine smugglers. Consignments have been found in Hong Kong, Australia and Britain.
Rampant drug smuggling is yet another argument for far more thorough inspections of Brazilian poultry imports into South Africa. FairPlay has repeatedly called for random inspections to be stepped up in order to ensure that chicken products are not mislabelled to evade or reduce import taxes.
The drug bust might even justify searching every single container before the goods are allowed into the country. The authorities must ensure we’re importing chicken, not cocaine.