Police continue to crack down on drug trafficking at the OR Tambo International Airport. On Tuesday, the South African Police Service (SAPS), in conjunction with Customs officials, intercepted a drug shipment and seized cocaine worth an estimated R6 million.

DETECTED AND SEIZED

SAPS spokesperson Colonel Amanda van Wyk said preliminary investigations indicated that the shipment was from São Paulo, Brazil, en route to France via South Africa when it was detected and seized. "The cocaine was concealed in boxes disguised as hair products. Further investigations are ongoing," Van Wyk said.

A LOSING BATTLE

In a separate incident on the same day, SAPS officers arrested a 55-year-old Nigerian national for drug trafficking. When he was intercepted, Van Wyk said the suspect had arrived on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil. "A medical x-ray revealed that the mule had swallowed multiple objects suspected to be bullets containing cocaine. The suspect faces charges of drug trafficking and is expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates Court this week," Van Wyk said. Just last month, police arrested two South African drug mules and seized cocaine with an estimated street value of R7.5 million at this airport. The pair, a man and a woman who are both South African nationals, are said to have landed on different flights from Brazil when police intercepted them.