BIG READ | Border crossings: taking the long way home with illicit goods
A personal account details the methods used to smuggle illicit goods across African borders by avoiding official checkpoints. The narrative describes the risks of air travel versus the perceived safety of overland routes to bypass strict customs scrutiny.
Why it matters
The story provides a first-hand look at the vulnerabilities in border security and the logistical strategies employed by criminal networks.
To get to South America, I flew from several African countries and used various airports on my return leg.
Most often, I flew from South Africa to Ethiopia, then out to South America. On the way back, I usually landed back in Ethiopia, flew on to Kenya and Botswana, and then drove overland from the capital, Gaborone, skipping the border to come home.
You can’t come back to South Africa straight from South America, because the narcs will catch you for sure. Our airports are very strict, particularly with flights from South America. It was much safer for us to bring in the drugs overland. It took longer than flying and required planning and guts, but you were much more likely to get away with it.
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