KEY POINTS
- After receiving a six-year prison sentence for drug trafficking Zenco Van Wyk completed his 27th year of age.
- The police detained him in 2022 when he attempted to smuggle cocaine through OR Tambo International Airport valued at R1.5 million.
- Police detained two South African nationals at the airport after finding R7.5 million of cocaine during their examination.
Sharp Customs authorities found half a kilogram of cocaine during a security checkpoint at OR Tambo International Airport.
As a result authorities sentenced Zenco Van Wyk to six years of prison time when he was 27 years old.
Arrest and drug trafficker sentencing
On Tuesday the Kempton Magistrate’s Court delivered the sentence after convicting Van Wyk for Drug Trafficking Act violations.
The Border Management Authorities at OR Tambo International Airport identified Zenco Van Wyk in August 2022 when he arrived at the airport from Brazil according to Gauteng Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela.
Mavimbela stated that drug enforcement authorities found half a kilogram of cocaine worth R1.5 million during their search of Van Wyk’s belongings thus leading to his arrest.
Drug trafficker sentenced, the court convicted Van Wyk on January 15 resulting in a six-year direct prison term.
Ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking
Current South African law enforcement teams are actively working to stop drug trafficking across the national borders.
Two residents from South Africa who traveled from São Paulo, Brazil brought different arrests when they entered the same airport independently.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Van Wyk revealed that the suspects who were a male and a female had R7.5 million worth of cocaine when found in their possession.
Police spokesperson Van Wyk reported the suspect woman held R2.5 million worth of cocaine whereas the male suspect transported R5 million worth of the drug.
Drug trafficker have been sentenced from time to time. The court needs to handle drug trafficking charges against both suspects whose court appearance will take place shortly.
Two Brazilian nationals including a 30-year-old and a 35-year-old were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport just after arriving from São Paulo with large quantities of cocaine.
Security at the airport receives concentrated efforts from authorities to prevent drug trafficking while dismantling transportation networks.
