Police have arrested yet another drug mule who was caught transporting cocaine bullets from Brazil.
A 25-year-old suspect was arrested on arrival from São Paulo via Doha at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday, 29 July, with cocaine worth an estimated R4.2 million.
A team comprising Crime Intelligence Counter Narcotics Intel Gauteng, ORTIA SAPS Tactical Team, Border Management Authority (BMA), and private security followed up on received intelligence and successfully identified and arrested the Brazilian national shortly after landing.
A search of the trafficker’s luggage led police to uncover about 10kg of cocaine. The suspect was also taken for a medical examination to determine whether cocaine-filled bullets were swallowed.
Police say more than 25 drug traffickers have been arrested since the beginning of the year at OR Tambo.
Earlier this month, a 32-year-old woman was arrested at Cape Town International Airport for allegedly smuggling drugs into the country from Brazil.
According to the Hawks, the suspect was nabbed during a multi-disciplinary operation involving Customs, SAPS and Border Management officials.
She was found in possession of 70 cocaine bullets worth around R245,000. She had also swallowed an unknown quantity of other cocaine bullets.
SAPS says it continues to record commendable successes in dismantling transnational drug syndicates operating between South Africa and other countries.
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