Johannesburg – A drug mule from Brazil who was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday was releasing pellets packed with a narcotic.
The 21-year-old Brazilian man, who had ingested the pellets, arrived on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil, just after 12:20.
SA Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the Brazilian’s arrest on Tuesday afternoon came after law enforcers followed up on information.
“The drug mule was taken to a local hospital where a medical x-ray confirmed the presence of foreign objects in his stomach,” said Brigadier Mathe.
“The process to release these foreign objects has started and the SAPS can confirm that plastic-covered cocaine ‘bullets’ are being released by the suspect.”
Brigadier Mathe added: “He will appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on a charge of drug possession and trafficking before the end of this week.”
Brigadier Mathe said police at OR Tambo International Airport remain vigilant as they intensify their safer festive operations.
She said the SAPS “Safer Festive Season Operations” were in full swing across the country and criminals in every corner were “feeling the heat”.
The arrest of the suspected drug mule was the second bust in days.
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