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A joint operation by law enforcement agencies has led to the arrest of a 21-year-old South African woman for drug trafficking at the OR Tambo International (ORTIA) Airport.
According police national commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, the drug mule was profiled and intercepted as she was arriving on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil on Sunday morning.
He said the arrest is the eleventh drug mule to be nabbed at ORTIA in a period of two months.
“She was taken to a local hospital where an X-ray confirmed that she was having foreign objects in her stomach and had already released a number of bullets from her body,” he expressed.
Masemola confirmed that she is in custody where police are closely monitoring the release of further drug bullets with the process is still unfolding.
He added; “Our men and women in blue working closely with SARS customs and various stakeholders continue to assert the authority of the state at all our ports of entry.
“We appreciate the hardwork and dedication of our members and urge them to do more to squeeze the space for criminals. Drug traffickers are feeling the heat and there is nowhere to hide.”
Drug traffickers intercepted
The General highlighted that every week in the last month, SAPS and SARS customs, immigration and BMA at ORTIA have been intercepting drug traffickers.
“On Sunday, September 22, a 30-year-old Namibian drug mule was arrested after arriving from São Paulo. She too was taken for medical examination and released more than 60 drug bullets.
“She has already appeared in the Kempton Park magistrates court on a charge of dealing in drugs.
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“On Friday, September 13, a Nigerian drug mule was arrested after he was found in possession of cocaine that was concealed in aircraft headphones.
“He too had just landed from São Paulo. He has already appeared before the Kempton Park magistrate’s court on a charge of dealing in drugs,” Masemola concluded.
