Brazilian national Risclif Tadue Ramos (36) appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court yesterday, July 22, after he was caught with a 4kg consignment of cocaine wrapped around his body at OR Tambo International Airport.
Officers from the East Rand-based Hawks’ Organised Crime Investigation received information that a drug mule was scheduled to land at the OR-Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) from Brazil on Friday afternoon, July 19.
A multidisciplinary team approached the identified flight and Ramos was located.
Also read: Skin products and unregistered medicine intercepted at ORTIA
He was taken to the ORTIA Police Station where an interpreter was sourced after he indicated that he did not understand English.
According to information received, Ramos admitted to the officers through the interpreter that he was in possession of drugs.
He was subjected to a body search, which revealed 4kg of cocaine wrapped around his body.
He was immediately arrested and charged for contravening the Drugs and drug trafficking Act.
The Kempton Park Magistrate’s court has postponed the case against Ramos to July 30 when he is expected to apply for bail.
Also read: Two sentenced for possession and exportation of 27 rhino horns
The Gauteng provincial head of the Hawks, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, has lauded the vigilance of law enforcement agencies and the intelligence acted on.
“We have acted to ensure that many methods that organised criminal groups employ to illegally import harmful illicit substances into the country are thwarted,” he said.