Johannesburg — Five workers from OR Tambo International Airport has been arrested following a drug trafficking investigation by the Hawks.
According to IOL, the five men — Stanley Nkuna, 33, Justice Mahloma, 44, Madimetje Mahangwhane, 41, Thulani Sibiya, 31, and Fuba Mahlangu, 40 — appeared in the Kempton Park on Friday after they had a hand in a R500m drug bust in Australia. They are expected to make their formal bail application in court next week
They face charges of drug trafficking, contravention of the Civil Aviation Act and contravention of the Customs and Excise Act after a large drugs consignment was confiscated abroad,” according to South African Police Services’ Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale.
5 suspects arrested for drug trafficking at OR Tambo International Airport.
The arrest comes after a drug shipment was recently seized in Australia containing cocaine
Suspects worked for ACSA, Menzies Aviation, and Swiss port Warehouse. pic.twitter.com/eWhzEDwI08— CrimeInSA (@sa_crime) November 17, 2023
The arrests are linked to a consignment of drugs that was recently seized in Australia, making this case the first transnational drug operation to run through OR Tambo, and where the drug seizure made abroad was linked to suspects back in South Africa, TimesLIVE reported.
ACSA regional GM, Jabulani Khambule, said ACSA would continue to support the investigation and will cooperate with the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to ensure the perpetrators are caught.
“We are committed to stamping out illegal behaviour by our employees and to countering drug trafficking through our airports. We hope these arrests send a strong message to any employees who might be contemplating getting involved in such illicit activities. Don’t do it, you will be caught,” he said.
ACSA said it recently adopted an integrated, multi-agency safety and security approach throughout its environment to enhance airport and aviation security in general.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
