Suspect Arrested At OR Tambo With Cocaine Worth More Than R800,000
Police have arrested a 45-year-old man at OR Tambo International Airport after allegedly finding about two kilograms of suspected cocaine worth more than R800,000 in his luggage.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested another alleged drug trafficker at OR Tambo International Airport and seized about two kilograms of suspected cocaine worth more than R800,000.
The 45-year-old suspect was intercepted at the airport on Monday following an intelligence-led operation.
SAPS spokesperson Amanda van Wyk said the suspect was allegedly travelling to Hong Kong, China, when police stopped him.
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His luggage was searched following the arrest, resulting in the seizure of drugs suspected to be cocaine.
Police estimate the seized substance has a street value of more than R800,000.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court this week to face drug-related charges.
Second Cocaine Arrest In Four Days
The arrest comes just four days after SAPS detained another alleged drug mule at the same airport.
On Thursday last week, police arrested a 54-year-old man after allegedly discovering cocaine concealed inside his luggage.
Van Wyk confirmed that the earlier suspect was also allegedly travelling to Hong Kong.
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“The suspect was also en route to Hong Kong, China, when he was arrested for cocaine found concealed inside his luggage,” she said.
The latest arrests come as police increase intelligence-driven operations at OR Tambo, one of South Africa’s major international points of entry.
SAPS Targets Drug Trafficking Networks
Van Wyk said the successive arrests demonstrated the police service’s efforts to disrupt organised drug trafficking.
“These successive successes at South Africa’s busiest airport demonstrate the SAPS’s continued efforts to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks through intelligence-driven operations at the country’s ports of entry,” she said.
The latest suspect remains in police custody pending his court appearance.
The allegations against him have not been tested in court, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
