A 44-year-old female Brazilian drug mule has been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday. This is the latest drug bust conducted at the airport, which has become a popular route for international drug mules to pass through.
The Brazillian drug trafficker had just landed at the airport from Sao Paulo at 13:00 when she was intercepted by the South African Police Service intelligence and found with cocaine wrapped around her upper body.
According to police Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the suspect faces a charge of drug trafficking and will appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate soon.
This is the second drug trafficker to be arrested with cocaine wrapped around their upper body in the past week.
On Sunday, another Brazilian male drug trafficker was arrested and found in possession of cocaine worth an estimated street value of R1.8 million.
According to Brigadier Mathe, the OR TAMBO International Airport police will continue to sniff out drug traffickers as they land sending out a strong message that SA is not a playground for drug peddlers.
Other drug busts on SA shores this week
An intelligence-driven operation led police to uncover a drug laboratory with an estimated value of R100 million in Rietfontein, Gauteng on Wednesday and arrest a 39-year-old Mexican national.
Following extensive surveillance conducted on the premises, a multi-disciplinary team comprising of the National and Provincial Organised Crime Investigations (Narcotics units), National Counter Narcotics, Diepsloot and Westrand Tactical Response Teams (TRT) and West Rand K9 unit obtained a search and seizure warrant.
According to police, the takedown led the team to seize various chemicals, drug manufacturing equipment and the final product which was confirmed to be Methamphetamine commonly known as Crystal Meth or “Tik”.
Police also seized cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Atteridgeville Magistrates Court on charges of dealing in and manufacturing drugs as well as for contravention of the Immigration Act.
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