Johannesburg – Authorities at OR Tambo International Airport have intercepted five luggage bags containing 216 blocks of cocaine weighing about 250 kilograms.
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said on Sunday 25 October 2026 that the drugs have an estimated street value of more than R200 million.
She said the significant seizure was a testament to the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement efforts and the commitment of frontline officers to disrupting drug trafficking networks that seek to use South Africa’s ports of entry to move illicit substances.
National Commissioner of the SAPS General Fannie Masemola has commended the multidisciplinary team comprising the police, the South African Revenue Service Customs and the Border Management Authority for their role in intercepting the massive drug consignment.
General Masemola has praised the team for its vigilance and professionalism, emphasising that the SAPS will continue to work closely with its law enforcement partners to identify, intercept and dismantle drug trafficking operations.
The seizure comes amid sustained efforts by law enforcement agencies to clamp down on drug trafficking through the country’s busiest international airport.
“Over the past 24 months, a total of 116 drug mules have been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport,” said Brigadier Mathe.
“These arrests highlight the continued efforts by law enforcement agencies to detect and prevent the transportation of illicit drugs through South Africa’s borders.”
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