KEY POINTS
- Two suspects—a Brazilian man and a South African woman—were arrested at OR Tambo with ingested cocaine pellets and additional drugs in their luggage, totaling over R1 million in value.
- A separate heroin shipment worth R200,000, believed to be destined for London, was intercepted the following day at the OR Tambo.
- Five arrests have now been made in recent weeks, signaling intensified crackdowns on drug trafficking at the OR Tambo airport.
Two suspected drug mules were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday, leading to the seizure of cocaine worth over R1 million.
The suspects—a 24-year-old Brazilian man and a 51-year-old South African woman—had arrived on the same flight from São Paulo, Brazil, before being intercepted by police.
A medical examination confirmed that both individuals had ingested “bullets” suspected to contain cocaine. “The process of releasing these substances is ongoing, and the final quantity and value of the seized drugs will be determined on completion,” said police spokesperson Lt-Col Amanda van Wyk. Authorities also discovered additional cocaine concealed in their luggage.
Police uncover additional heroin shipment destined for london
In a related operation, police intercepted a shipment of white powder—believed to be heroin—worth over R200,000 on Friday. Preliminary investigations suggest the drugs were en route to London.
Sowetanlive reports this latest seizure brings the total number of drug-related arrests at OR Tambo to five in recent weeks, highlighting the airport’s ongoing struggle with international drug trafficking.
Van Wyk added that investigations are underway to determine any potential connections between the two suspects and broader drug networks.
“We are working closely with international agencies to track the origins and intended destinations of these narcotics,” she stated.
The arrests come amid heightened security measures at OR Tambo, a major transit hub for illicit drugs entering and exiting Africa.
Authorities have warned that drug mules are increasingly using sophisticated concealment methods, including body cavities and modified luggage.
