Johannesburg - South African Revenue Service's customs officials on Wednesday intercepted a man who claimed an unaccompanied bag containing 20kg of ephedrine at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, it said in a statement.
The seized ephedrine, a key ingredient in the manufacturing of tik (crystal methamphetamine), is estimated to be worth R6m.
The interception followed collaborative efforts between Sars, airline officials and the police, the statement said.
"The bag from Dar es Salaam was scanned and found to contain four 5kg bags of a crystal-like substance that tested positively for ephedrine, a principal ingredient of crystal methamphetamine.
"The man approached Customs to claim the bag. Immediately after signing for delivery he was arrested by South African Police Service officers to be formally charged for drug possession," Sars spokesperson Sandile Memela said.