A 29-year-old man arriving at OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng from Brazil was arrested on Friday, 19 May 2023, when authorities discovered cocaine with an estimated value of R2.15 million in his bag.
Brazilian smuggler caught with R2m cocaine at OR Tambo Airport
As reported by The Citizen, the individual was denied entry into the country by the Department of Home Affairs, leading customs officials to escort him for processing. During a search of his bag, officers unearthed a rug soaked and dried with cocaine, weighing 8.6 kilograms.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Philani Nkwalase confirmed the arrest and seizure of the drugs, emphasising that the suspect is believed to be a habitual drug trafficker.
He is scheduled to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 22 May 2023, to face charges of drug possession.
OR Tambo International Airport has gained notoriety as a major hub for various illicit commodities, particularly wildlife products, according to a recent report by the Global Initiative.
The report highlights the growing connection between abalone poaching and global cocaine trafficking, with South Africa witnessing an increase in both cocaine smuggling and its domestic market.
The report further reveals the involvement of Chinese criminal networks, which have capitalised on this opportunity.
These networks already play a role in importing and distributing synthetic drugs within South Africa’s domestic markets, as well as handling logistics for the illicit abalone trade.
Their experience in moving and protecting large shipments of illegal goods within the country has facilitated their participation in the cocaine trade.
