A suspected drug mule has been arrested by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) at the OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday, 30 July 2024.
Police were following up on intelligence that a man aboard an identified aircraft from Sao Paulo - Guarulhos International Airport in Brazil was carrying drugs.
As soon as the identified aircraft landed just before 7am, police identified the mule and took him for questioning while a team searched the aircraft and found a parcel of cocaine worth R1 million.
The cocaine was discovered - wrapped in plastic - leading police to believe that the consignment was strapped to his body.
The man who is a Brazilian national has been detained and charged with drug trafficking.
The National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola has welcomed the arrest and warned those involved in transnational organised crime that SA is no playground for these syndicates who are involved in the trafficking of drugs.
Gen Masemola said:
Our members throughout the country remain vigilant and ready to intercept these drug traffickers. It’s been a progressive two weeks for SAPS in so far as intercepting large quantities of drugs. R252 million worth of cocaine was seized in Western Cape, a Russian national was among those arrested. A drug lab worth R2 billion was shutdown in Limpopo and two Mexican nationals were arrested in that case. We are hard at work and we are leaving nothing to chance. SA is not a playground for these syndicates. We are working closely with international authorities in sharing information. We will continue to intensify our efforts in intercepting criminals and illicit substances including illegal firearms.
The drug mule is expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court this week on a charge of drug trafficking.
