Just in| Another Brazilian Drug Mule Arrested at OR Tambo Airport with Cocaine Pellets

Police at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park have arrested a 21-year-old man, identified as a drug mule, after he landed in South Africa from São Paulo, Brazil. The arrest occurred on Tuesday afternoon during ongoing “safer festive season” operations aimed at curbing criminal activities across the country.

Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS), confirmed that the man was intercepted after arriving from Brazil around 12:20 pm. SAPS crime intelligence, acting on a tip-off, tracked the suspect and arranged for a medical examination. A subsequent x-ray revealed that the man had swallowed foreign objects, later identified as plastic-wrapped cocaine pellets.

The man is now undergoing the process to release the cocaine from his stomach, with the police confirming that the drugs are being recovered. Mathe added that the suspect will face charges of drug possession and trafficking at the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court later this week.

Also read: Brazilian Woman Arrested at OR Tambo with Cocaine Concealed Around Body

This arrest follows a series of drug trafficking busts at the busy airport. Last week, a 44-year-old Brazilian woman was arrested for trafficking cocaine worth R1.9 million, wrapped around her body, and a 24-year-old Brazilian male was arrested with over three kilograms of cocaine valued at R1.8 million.

SAPS officials are intensifying their efforts to curb drug trafficking and other criminal activities as part of the ongoing festive season operations.

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