A 21-year-old woman from South Africa was apprehended at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg for drug trafficking shortly after arriving from Brazil.
This incident marks the eleventh arrest of a drug mule at the airport in a mere two months, signaling a concerning trend in drug smuggling activities.
Joint Operation by SAPS and SARS
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed the arrest, which was conducted in conjunction with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs unit.
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the SAPS national spokesperson, reported that the woman was profiled and intercepted upon her flight’s arrival from São Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday morning around 9 AM.
Investigation and Continued Monitoring
Following her arrest, the woman was taken to a local hospital where an x-ray revealed that she had foreign objects in her stomach. She has been releasing multiple packets of drugs from her body and is currently in police custody. The process of monitoring the release of further drug packets is ongoing.
General Fannie Masemola, the national commissioner of SAPS, praised the collaborative efforts of law enforcement and SARS personnel at the airport, emphasizing their resolve in combating drug trafficking.
He stated, “Our men and women in blue continue to assert the authority of the state at all our ports of entry. Drug traffickers are feeling the heat; there is nowhere to hide.” This statement underscores the commitment to enhance security at OR Tambo International Airport and other critical entry points in South Africa.
