The South African Police Services (SAPS), South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs and immigration officials received intelligence from the SAPS regarding a drug mule that would land from Sau Paulo at about 07:25.

“The team immediately intercepted the drug mule as she was making her way through immigration. She was immediately arrested, taken to a local hospital where a medical x-ray confirmed and detected foreign objects in her stomach,” said the police in a statement.

According to police the process to release the suspected drugs from her body is underway.

“She has already released more than 60 bullets of suspected cocaine thus far. She is currently under police guard and custody.

“The value of the drugs cannot be determined at this stage as the process to release all suspected drugs from the suspect’s body may take some time,” said the statement.

This is the tenth drug mule to be arrested at this airport in the past two months.

National Commissioner of the Police, General Fannie Masemola, applauded the vigilance of the multidisciplinary team who are working tirelessly to clamp down on criminality at the airport.

“Our men and women in blue are hard at work intercepting hardened criminals. South Africa is not a playground for criminals and transnational organised crime. We are squeezing the space for criminals and leaving nothing to chance,” said Masemola.

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Over the past two months, more than R13 million worth of drugs including approximately R12 million worth of cocaine has been seized at OR Tambo.

Nine drug mules have been arrested during this same period, with all suspects charged for the possession of illicit substances.

In the most recent incident, OR Tambo police apprehended a Nigerian drug mule on Friday, 13 September. Officers worked in conjunction with airport security, Border Management Authority members, customs officials and Airports Company of South Africa staff.

The suspected drug mule arrived from São Paulo and was connecting to Nigeria when he met with a cleaner at the airport and handed him airline headphones. Officers inspected the headphones and found cocaine stashed inside.

The drug mule claimed to be a street vendor in Nigeria, and stated he was in Brazil to buy clothes and shoes which he resells in his home country. The cleaner has evaded arrest, and Police have since launched a manhunt for him.

General Masemola applauded the men and women in blue, who “remain dedicated to putting a stop to the illicit drug trafficking trade.”

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