A male drug mule, arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, has released approximately 117 cocaine bullets, according to police.
Story Summary:
- A male drug mule arrested at OR Tambo International Airport released about 117 cocaine bullets.
- Authorities report increased incidents of drug trafficking at OR Tambo, with multiple mules caught in recent months.
- Joint operations by SAPS and SARS customs have led to numerous drug mule arrests, showing an uptick in trafficking attempts.
Latest OR Tambo Airport drug mule caught with cocaine bullet
The suspect was rushed to a hospital after experiencing health complications related to the drug packets in his body.
“He has so far released about 117 drug bullets suspected to be cocaine. The releasing process has been stopped,” Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili confirmed in a statement.
She stressed that this should serve as a deterrent to anyone considering engaging in drug trafficking, warning of the life-threatening risks involved.
The suspect remains in custody as authorities continue their investigation.
This arrest follows a string of recent interceptions of drug mules attempting to smuggle narcotics into South Africa via OR Tambo International Airport.
Gauteng authorities overwhelmed by smuggling uptick at OR Tambo
Authorities at OR Tambo International have been grappling with an increase in drug trafficking incidents in recent months.
In addition to the latest case, multiple drug mules have been arrested at the airport.
On 22 September 2024, a 30-year-old Namibian national was arrested after being found in possession of more than 60 drug bullets upon arriving from São Paulo.
Just a week earlier, a Nigerian drug mule was apprehended with cocaine concealed in aircraft headphones.
Other cases include a 21-year-old South African woman who, in late September, was also intercepted with more than 110 drug bullets.
Several other mules, including a woman arrested in August carrying 10 kilograms of cocaine, have been stopped in joint operations between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and South African Revenue Services (SARS) customs at the airport.