Two alleged drug mules were caught red-handed with cocaine valued at about R7.5 million at the OR Tambo International Airport, in Johannesburg, on Friday.
The suspected drug traffickers – a man and a woman – were traveling from Brazil on separate flights when they were caught by authorities. Police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk confirmed the incident, adding that both suspects are South African nationals.
“Upon inspection, the female suspect was found in possession of cocaine worth R2.5 million, while the male suspect was carrying R5 million worth of cocaine in his luggage. They were subsequently arrested and will face charges related to drug trafficking, ” said van Wyk.
The pair will face charges relating to drug trafficking.
Cases of this nature have seen an uptick in recent months. Last year, police carried out 11 arrests of suspects with ties to São Paulo, at the same airport in a space of four months. In one incident, on 11 October 2024, authorities found 47 bricks of compressed cocaine, worth an estimated street value of R25 million, also at OR Tambo International Airport.
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