KEY POINTS
- The Nigerian national passed through OR Tambo International Airport security after ingesting cocaine bullets with a worth of R7.5 million.
- The recent drug trafficking operation resulted in criminal charges against two South African nationals who brought cocaine from Brazil.
- The South African Police Service strengthened airport surveillance operations to prevent international groups which send narcotics into South Africa.
A 55-year-old Nigerian citizen received arrest at OR Tambo International Airport after trying to smuggle R7.5 million worth of cocaine into South Africa.
Staff members of SAPS stopped the suspect upon his arrival from São Paulo Brazil airport because medical scans revealed he had consumed several cocaine-filled bullets.
The South African Police Service confirmed that the suspect continues to eliminate the cocaine-packed bullets from his system following his apprehension and will soon appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court.
A series of drug trafficking arrests took place at OR Tambo International Airport
The authorities made the arrest because of ongoing security measures at OR Tambo International Airport designed to stop drug smuggling operations. The SAPS arrested two South African members of drug trafficking who had departed from São Paulo, Brazil only before this incident.
The suspects became aware of each other when they landed at OR Tambo International Airport on different flights with R7.5 million in cocaine combined between them. The suspect female possessed cocaine worth R2.5 million but the male suspect transported R5 million worth in his travel items.
In December 2024, authorities detained two Brazilian drug traffickers at the airport, allowing medical teams to recover cocaine bullets from the body of one suspect after his arrest. Another suspect was caught with more than 4 kilograms of cocaine at the same time,
OR Tambo International Airport has strengthened its security protocols by focusing on stopping alliances of drug traffickers from importing narcotics into South African borders.
