Johannesburg – A 48-year-old Ghana national has been arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport on suspicion of drug trafficking.
Spokesperson Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela said the suspect was arrested on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) for contravening the Drug and Drug Trafficking Act, Act 140 of 1992.
The arrest was made during a multi-disciplinary operation conducted by Pretoria-based Serious Organised Crime, SAPS Flying Squad, K9 Dog unit, Transnational Organised Crime fighting unit, and the Airports Crime Prevention Officers.
Narrating events leading to the drug bust, Warrant Officer Mavimbela said law enforcers followed up on information about a suspect who would be transporting drugs to Ghana.
“Officers identified the suspect at the airport,” Warrant Officer Mavimbela said.
“Permission to search the luggage was granted, upon searching about 2kg of suspected heroin was discovered hidden in the suspect’s luggage.”
The suspect was arrested.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 26 June 2025.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, has commended the multidisciplinary team in apprehending the suspect and appeals to the public to report drug dealing and trafficking to the authorities.
