KEY POINTS
- South African police intercepted a R6 million cocaine shipment disguised as hair products at OR Tambo International Airport.
- A 55-year-old Nigerian national was arrested for smuggling R7.5 million worth of cocaine in his stomach.
- OR Tambo is increasingly being used as a transit point for global drug cartels, prompting intensified law enforcement efforts.
South African law enforcement agencies have intensified their crackdown on international drug smuggling, following a series of high-profile cocaine busts at OR Tambo International Airport.
IOL reports that authorities intercepted a shipment of cocaine disguised as hair products and arrested a suspected drug mule who had swallowed cocaine bullets before boarding a flight to the OR Tambo Airport South Africa.
The South African Police Service (SAPS), in collaboration with Customs officials, made the first discovery on Tuesday when they seized a consignment of cocaine with an estimated street value of R6 million.
“The cocaine was concealed in boxes disguised as hair products. Further investigations are ongoing,” said SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Van Wyk.
Airport becomes a key transit point for drug trafficking
Authorities have identified OR Tambo International Airport as a major transit hub for drug syndicates operating between South America, Africa, and Europe. This latest seizure is part of a broader pattern of traffickers exploiting Johannesburg as a stopover for illicit substances.
On the same day as the drug shipment interception, police arrested a 55-year-old Nigerian national who had just arrived from São Paulo, Brazil. The suspect was flagged as suspicious upon arrival, leading to a medical x-ray that revealed he had ingested multiple packets of cocaine worth approximately R7.5 million.
“The suspect had just landed from São Paulo, Brazil when he was intercepted by police. A medical x-ray revealed that the mule had swallowed multiple objects suspected to be bullets containing cocaine,” Van Wyk confirmed.
This case follows the arrest of two South African drug traffickers at the same airport just days earlier. The duo, a man and a woman, also arrived from São Paulo on separate flights and were found carrying cocaine valued at R7.5 million in total.
“Upon inspection, the female suspect was allegedly found in possession of cocaine worth R2.5 million, while the male suspect was allegedly carrying R5 million worth of cocaine in his luggage,” said Van Wyk.
These arrests highlight the increasing efforts by South African authorities to combat the growing presence of international drug syndicates. OR Tambo International Airport has long been identified as a high-risk zone for smuggling due to its status as a major travel hub.
Officials have warned that the sophistication of these trafficking methods—including the use of human drug mules and deceptive packaging—requires heightened vigilance. Law enforcement agencies have reiterated their commitment to dismantling these networks and preventing South Africa from becoming a primary corridor for global drug smuggling.
“Our officers remain on high alert to prevent drugs from flooding our communities and to ensure that criminals using our airports for illegal activities are brought to justice,” said a senior SAPS official.
As investigations continue, authorities have urged the public to report suspicious activities, emphasizing that community cooperation is vital in tackling drug-related crimes.
