Police clamping down on drug mules at OR Tambo

9 Views

Last night, the South African Police Service reported that three alleged drug mules were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport in one week. Two of the arrests took place on 10 June 2025.

In the first arrest, SAPS intercepted a 30-year-old Brazilian national who had landed from São Paulo. She confessed that she had ingested more than 100 cocaine-filled bullets.

“Later the same day, police intercepted a 57-year-old Ethiopian national at the airport’s check-in counter before he could board a flight out of the country. A search of the suspect’s luggage uncovered over 90 kilograms of Khat,” said police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk.

OR TAMBO USED AS A TRANSIT ROUTE BY DRUG MULES

On 5 June 2025, a 42-year-old Nigerian national was arrested on charges of drug trafficking upon arrival at the airport. He had travelled from São Paulo and was en route to Nigeria.

“The drug trafficker landed at 07:00 when he was intercepted by police officers at the airport. A medical x-ray confirmed that he had ingested more than 70 drug bullets suspected to contain cocaine,” said van Wyk.

All three suspects are due to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on charges of drug trafficking.

A CONTINUOUS CYCLE

Last month, The South African brought you the story of a 39-year-old Brazilian national who was found in possession of R 1,4 million worth of cocaine wrapped around his legs. He too was intercepted at OR Tambo after travelling from São Paulo. He told police he was in transit to Benin.

At the time, police reported that they were intensifying their efforts to clamp down on the illicit trade of drugs and they had made significant arrests.

“SAPS has intercepted more than 23 drug traffickers at this port of entry in the past six months,” concluded van Wyk.