Cape Town — Police in Johannesburg caught and arrested a suspected drug mule who was travelling with cocaine at OR Tambo International Airport.
Police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, said police had identified the suspected mule when he landed at the airport, travelling from Sao Paulo in Brazil, around 7am on Tuesday. Police took him in for questioning while a team searched the aircraft and found a parcel of cocaine valued at R1 million, TimesLIVE reported.
“A suspected drug mule has been arrested by SAPS at OR TAMBO Airport. The man was on board a flight that had just landed from Brazil. Police found the drugs wrapped in plastic to a piece of clothing suggesting that the drugs were strapped onto his body. Drugs found in aircraft,” Mathe said on X.
A suspected drug mule has been arrested by SAPS at OR TAMBO Airport. The man was on board a flight that had just landed from Brazil. Police found the drugs wrapped in plastic to a piece of clothing suggesting that the drugs were strapped onto his body. Drugs found in aircraft pic.twitter.com/HnZxchTnFy
— Athlenda Mathe (@AthlendaM) July 30, 2024
According to The Citizen, National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, said he was determined to prevent and clamp down on transnational organised crimes and welcomed the arrest of the suspect,
“Our members throughout the country remain vigilant and ready to intercept these drug traffickers,” he said,
“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,” Masemola added.
This incident marks the third drug-related bust in the past two weeks after R252 million worth of cocaine was seized in the Western Cape and a Russian national was arrested, and two Mexican nationals were among the suspects arrested when a R2 billion drug lab was shut down in Limpopo.
Western Cape police arrested two men, including a Russian national, after cocaine valued at R252 million was seized during an operation on Friday. pic.twitter.com/EAqLPzemEb
— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) July 21, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
