The South African Police Services (SAPS) says a 21-year-old woman released over 100 so-called “drug bullets”, after being caught smuggling drugs into the country. The woman was profiled, before being arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, upon her arrival from Brazil.
After she was taken into custody, she was transported to the nearest medical facility, where an X-ray confirmed that the woman was carrying foreign objects in her stomach. Spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, says by that time, the young woman had already released several bullets.
“[She] has so far released more than 110 drug bullets suspected to be cocaine… SAPS OR Tambo International Airport say this is more than the average drug bullets that drug mules that are intercepted at the [airport] usually carry” noted Mathe on Monday.
She is expected to make an appearance in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court on Tuesday, on drug-related charges. Meanwhile, authorities continue to monitor for the possible release of additional drug bullets.
SAPS concerns with drug smuggling
Police have expressed grave concern over the increasing involvement of young women, in high-risk and potentially fatal criminal activities. Mathe says another woman arrived in the country on 22 September, from Brazil, and was found carrying drugs in her body.
“A 30-year-old Namibian drug mule was arrested after arriving from São Paulo. She too was taken for medical examination and released more than 60 drug bullets.”
But drugs have also entered the country in different forms. A Nigerian national was arrested on 13 September, after cocaine was concealed in his aircraft headphones. He had also just landed from Brazil. These arrests are among 11 of its kind, carried out at the OR Tambo International Airport in the past two months.
Mathe has urged individuals to avoid risking their lives to commit crimes likes this, especially referring to the
“Police are urging people not to go to extreme lengths to risk their lives as this exercise can turn fatal.”
Meanwhile, National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, praised the collaborative efforts between SARS and SAPS for their work in preventing drugs from entering the country.
“Our men and women in blue, working closely with SARS customs and various stakeholders, continue to assert the authority of the state at all our ports of entry. Drug traffickers are feeling the heat, and there is nowhere to hide. ”
