An alleged Nigerian drug mule was arrested when he landed at the OR Tambo International Airport on a flight from São Paulo while waiting for a connecting flight to Nigeria on September 14.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the man allegedly met with a cleaner at the airport who handed him airline headphones.
Mathe said the police worked closely with airport security, BMA, customs officials and Acsa staff to secure the arrest.
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“Suspecting there was something amiss, the team opened the aircraft headphones and found cocaine stashed in the headphones,” said Mathe.
“The drug mule who claimed to be a street vendor in Nigeria said he was in Brazil to buy clothes and shoes he sells in his home country.
“The police are investigating this aspect; to prove this may be used as a decoy by this drug trafficker,” added Mathe.
The cleaner who noticed the police were hot on his heels evaded arrest. Police have since launched a manhunt for him.
The national commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, has reiterated his stance, stating: “South Africa is not a playground for criminals and anyone who finds themselves on the wrong side of the law will be sniffed out from any corner of this country and made to answer to the crimes committed.”
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Masemola applauded the multidisciplinary team working at the OR Tambo International Airport for their continued vigilance that continues to yield positive results.
“In the past two months, we seized more than R13m worth of drugs, including R12m worth of cocaine at OR Tambo Airport,” said Masemola.
“The team arrested nine drug traffickers or drug mules during the same period. All suspects were arrested in the possession of these drugs.”
Masemola said the men and women in blue remain dedicated to putting a stop to the illicit drug trafficking trade.
“These arrests and drug confiscations should serve as a deterrent to other drug traffickers, that they will be caught.”
