Johannesburg – Police at OR Tambo International Airport have arrested a 26‑year‑old transgender Brazilian after intercepting cocaine with an estimated street value of R8.7 million.
The suspect, who had just arrived from Brazil in the afternoon on Sunday, 26 April 2026, was apprehended following an intelligence‑driven operation.
Police officers discovered multiple blocks of cocaine concealed inside the suspect’s luggage during a search.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the arrest highlights the success of ongoing efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking networks.
“This interception forms part of our intelligence‑driven operations aimed at dismantling transnational syndicates that use South Africa’s largest port of entry to smuggle narcotics,” she explained.
Brigadier Mathe added that OR Tambo International Airport has seen several similar successes in recent months.
“These arrests go a long way in disrupting the supply of illicit drugs and strengthening the fight against organised crime,” she said.
The suspect arrested on the eve of Freedom Day is expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, on charges of drug trafficking.
