A drug mule who was arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport yesterday has been rushed to the hospital after he experienced health complications while releasing drug bullets he swallowed. According to the police, the suspect has so far released 117 bullets, which are suspected to be cocaine. 

THE ARREST

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that SAPS, in collaboration with officials from SARS, arrested a 43-year-old drug mule from Paraguay. The drug mule had landed from São Paulo when he was arrested by police officials at the airport. "A medical examination confirmed that he had swallowed multiple foreign objects and has so far released more than 20 bullets suspected to contain cocaine. This brings the total number of drug mules arrested at this airport in the last couple of weeks to fourteen," Mathe said. She added that every week in the last month, the police have arrested at least one drug mule at the same airport. "This week alone, the police arrested three drug mules, including two Dutch traffickers who were found with 80 kg of Cat. Today's arrest is the 14th drug mule to be arrested in recent weeks," she said.

LIFE THREATENING RISK

Deputy National Commissioner responsible for policing, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, confirmed that the mule has been rushed to the hospital following a health complication while releasing the bullets. "The releasing process has been stopped because every time the bullets were coming out, there were traces of blood that could only indicate that he was bleeding from inside the stomach," Mosikili said. She also said that the bullet size is almost 10g, which is very huge for anyone to consume. "This is a very dangerous exercise for anyone to do." Mosikili said this must send a strong message out there and serve as a deterrent that this exercise is dangerous and can cause loss of life. "The SAPS remains on high alert to prevent and combat criminality at OR Tambo International Airport," she added.