Cape Town – A 33-year-old woman posing as a shopper for her “upcoming wedding” was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, after allegedly attempting to smuggle 10kg of cocaine from Brazil.
The Germiston-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, along with customs officials and a dog detection unit, intercepted the woman upon her arrival, police spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said.
“A search of her luggage revealed the consignment of narcotics, which was established to be 10kg of cocaine,” he said.
During the operation, two men aged 37 and 52, both Nigerian nationals, were also detained at the airport’s International Arrivals hall.
#sapsHAWKS An alleged drug mule who departed the Republic of South Africa recently for Brazil under the guise of shopping for her ‘upcoming wedding’ was apprehended at ORTIA this morning. Two accomplices both Nigerian nationals aged 37 and 52 were also arrested.… pic.twitter.com/p7zAxwqqRF
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 27, 2024
“Two suspects were identified and monitored at the International Arrivals hall. They were approached and brought in for questioning at the police station.
“They stated that they were waiting for a traveller from elsewhere, but they couldn’t provide proof thereof.
“It was eventually established that they were actually waiting for the arrested drug mule originating from Motherwell in Port Elizabeth,” said Ramovha.
All three suspects are set to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, August 29, 2024.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
