The strange heaviness of empty cats crates has enabled the British authorities to foil an attempt to smuggle heroin worth R13 million into the United Kingdom.
When the crates were closely examined by customs they were found to have false bottoms in which the drug had been stacked.
A South African male, Scott Parker, who was accused of hiding the drugs in the bottoms of three cat crates with the animals still in them has been charged at a London court for allegedly using cats to smuggle heroin worth R13 million into the UK.
The cats were on a flight from OR Tambo International Airport to Heathrow Airport in London.
Britain’s National Crime Agency said workers at the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre thought the crates were unusually heavy after the cats were removed.
Officers uncovered a false bottom in the crates and found the hidden heroin.
Parker was arrested and has been charged with importing a class A drug into the country.
Parker, from Benoni, had dual South African and British nationality.
He appeared in the Uxbridge Magistrate’s Court, where he was not required to enter a plea. It was unknown when he appeared in court, or when he was arrested.
He had been remanded in custody and was due to appear in the Isleworth Crown Court next Thursday.