Man Arrested At OR Tambo For Allegedly Smuggling 2kg Of Heroin To Ghana

A 48-year-old foreign national was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday after authorities allegedly discovered 2kg of heroin hidden in his luggage. The bust was part of a multidisciplinary operation involving Pretoria-based Serious Organised Crime officers, the SAPS Flying Squad, the K9 Unit, Transnational Organised Crime, and the airport’s crime prevention team.

According to a statement from the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team:

“Officers identified the suspect at the airport. Permission to search the luggage was granted. Upon searching, about 2kg of suspected heroin was discovered hidden in the suspect’s luggage.”

Tip-Off Leads to International Drug Bust

The arrest followed a tip-off about a possible drug smuggling attempt. Law enforcement officers tracked the suspect at the airport and conducted a targeted search, which led to the seizure of the suspected heroin intended for transport to Ghana.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where he will face charges for contravening the Drug and Drug Trafficking Act.

Hawks Commend Team, Urge Public to Report Drug Crimes

The Gauteng provincial head of the Hawks, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, praised the swift coordination and execution of the operation.

“This arrest is a clear indication of what can be achieved through collaboration between specialised units,” Kadwa said. “We urge the public to continue reporting drug dealing and trafficking. Every tip-off matters in our fight against organised crime.”

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