A 31-year-old man is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, after an intelligence-driven operation at OR Tambo International Airport led to the seizure of hydroponic cannabis with an estimated street value of more than R2 million.

The suspect was arrested on Monday, 13 July 2026, after the Hawks received intelligence about a suspicious traveller who had boarded a flight from Thailand via Dubai to Johannesburg.

According to Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Granville Meyer, the operation unfolded in real time as law enforcement agencies tracked the suspect’s movements.

“Key identifying features, including traveller details and luggage tag numbers, were communicated in real-time to operational teams on the ground.”

Meyer said a multi-disciplinary team was immediately mobilised to intercept the suspect upon his arrival.

“An integrated team consisting of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Border Management Authority (BMA), Homeland Security USA, SARS Customs, Vision Tactical, and SAPS OR Tambo operationalised the information.”

As passengers disembarked, officers closely monitored and profiled travellers before identifying the suspect.

“The team monitored the flight upon arrival, identifying and profiling passengers during the deplaning process until the target was successfully spotted.”

The operation took another turn when immigration officials questioned the authenticity of the man’s South African passport.

“Upon being stopped, immigration officials raised immediate concerns regarding the authenticity of the suspect’s South African passport, noting that his details did not align with local records.”

Investigators then retrieved the suspect’s suitcase from the airport carousel. Although he initially denied owning the luggage, claiming that a friend had paid him 5,000 Thai Baht to transport it, he was able to enter the secret combination code and unlock the suitcase when requested.

A subsequent search uncovered 17 vacuum-sealed bags containing 18.4 kilograms of hydroponic cannabis, with an estimated street value of R2.9 million.