Police intercepted three alleged drug mules within a week at OR Tambo International Airport.
In the first incident, a 42-year-old Nigerian national was arrested upon arrival from São Paulo, en route to Nigeria.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the alleged drug trafficker landed at 7 am on June 5, 2025, when police officers intercepted him at the airport.
“A medical x-ray confirmed that he had ingested more than 70 drug ‘bullets’ suspected to contain cocaine.”
Five days later, on 10 June 2025, police officers intercepted a second drug trafficker shortly after she landed at 6:15 am from São Paulo in Brazil.
“During an inspection of the 30-year-old Brazilian national’s luggage, she indicated she had ingested more than 100 cocaine-filled ‘bullets, ‘ which was later confirmed by a medical x-ray.”
Police said later that same day, a 57-year-old Ethiopian national was nabbed 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.”
van Wyk said all three were arrested and charged with drug trafficking and are expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court.
Through targeted intelligence-driven operations, SAPS has intercepted more than 23 drug traffickers at this port of entry in the past six months.
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