Fourteenth Drug Mule Arrested At OR Tambo Airport In Two Months

In a significant operation on Sunday, police in Gauteng arrested a 43-year-old man from Paraguay attempting to smuggle drugs into South Africa via the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA).

This arrest marks the fourteenth drug mule caught at the country’s main international airport in the past eight weeks, highlighting a disturbing trend in drug trafficking.

Details of the Arrest

The individual had arrived from São Paulo and was intercepted by police officials shortly after landing. According to police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk, a medical examination revealed that the suspect had swallowed numerous foreign objects.

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To date, he has excreted over 20 capsules, suspected to contain cocaine. This method of drug transport—using so-called ‘drug bullets’—has become a concerning tactic among traffickers.

Recurring Patterns in Drug Trafficking

This arrest follows closely on the heels of another recent case involving two Dutch traffickers, who were discovered with an astonishing 80 kilograms of khat. Furthermore, this incident marks the third consecutive Sunday where a suspect with drug bullets has been apprehended.

As authorities intensify their efforts to combat drug smuggling at ORTIA, the emergence of these smuggling tactics raises serious concerns about the methods used by traffickers and the persistent challenge police face in curbing this illicit trade.