Johannesburg – Police have revealed that three people were arrested this week for drug trafficking at OR Tambo International Airport.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said on 5 June 2025, a 42-year-old Nigerian national was arrested upon arrival from São Paulo, en route to Nigeria.
“The drug trafficker landed at 07:00 when he was intercepted by police officers at the airport,” said Lieutenant Colonel Van Wyk.
“A medical X-Ray confirmed that he had ingested more than 70 drug ‘bullets’ suspected to contain cocaine.”
She said on 10 June 2025, police officers intercepted a second drug trafficker shortly after she landed at 06:15 from São Paulo.
“During an inspection of the 30-year-old Brazilian national’s luggage, she indicated she had ingested more than 100 cocaine-filled ‘bullets’ which were later confirmed by a medical X-Ray,” Lieutenant Colonel Van Wyk said.
“Later the same day, police intercepted a 57-year-old Ethiopian national at the airport’s check-in counter before he could board a flight out of the country.
“A search of the suspect’s luggage uncovered over 90 kilograms of Khat.
“All three suspects were arrested and expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on charges of drug trafficking.”
Lieutenant Colonel Van Wyk said that through targeted intelligence-driven operations, the South African Police Service has intercepted more than 23 drug traffickers at OR Tambo International Airport in the past six months.
