- Brazilian national Risclif Tadue Ramos appeared in Kempton Park Magistrates Court.
- Ramos was caught with 4kg of cocaine at OR Tambo Airport.
- The case is postponed to 30 July 2024 for a bail application.
Risclif Tadue Ramos, a Brazilian national, made his first court appearance at Kempton Park Magistrates Court after being caught smuggling cocaine at OR Tambo Int’l Airport.
Brazilian drug mule makes first court appearance: Here’s what we know
The 36-year-old was charged with contravening the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act after attempting to smuggle 4kg of cocaine into South Africa.
The court case has been postponed to Tuesday, 30 July 2024, for a bail application.
Gauteng Provincial Head of the Hawks Major General Ebrahim Kadwa commended the law enforcement agencies for their vigilance and successful intervention.
“We have acted to ensure that many methods that organised criminal groups employ to illegally import harmful illicit substances into the country are thwarted,” Kadwa stated.
How Ramos was caught smuggling cocaine at OR Tambo Airport
Ramos was apprehended by a multidisciplinary team from the East Rand-based Hawks’ Organised Crime Investigation unit.
The team acted on intelligence received about a drug mule scheduled to land at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) from Brazil on Friday afternoon.
Upon arrival, Ramos was identified and approached by the team.
Ramos had no checked-in luggage, only carrying a few personal items. He was escorted to the ORTIA police station, where an interpreter was brought in as he claimed not to understand English.
Through the interpreter, Ramos admitted to possessing drugs. A body search revealed approximately 4kg of cocaine concealed in a body wrap around his torso. Ramos was immediately arrested and charged.
Can South Africa detain Brazilian nationals? – Here’s what you must know
Under international law, countries can detain foreign nationals found violating their laws within their borders.
South Africa, as a sovereign nation, has the right to arrest and prosecute individuals, regardless of nationality, who commit crimes on its soil.
In Ramos’s case, his Brazilian citizenship does not exempt him from facing South African justice for drug trafficking.
South Africa’s legal framework, specifically the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, enables authorities to take stringent actions against drug-related offences.
Foreign nationals involved in such activities are subject to the same legal processes as South African citizens.
The South African government works in collaboration with international law enforcement agencies to tackle drug trafficking, ensuring offenders are brought to justice.
