Officers intercepted a 95kg drug shipment arriving on a flight from São Paulo, dealing a blow to international trafficking networks.

According to The Witness, the shipment was seized yesterday (July 31) after an intelligence-driven operation involving the SAPS Visible Policing Unit at OR Tambo International Airport, customs officials and Menzies Aviation.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the operation followed information received from Crime Intelligence’s Border Integrity Unit about a suspected drug consignment arriving in the country.

The cargo, which arrived on a flight from Brazil, was intercepted shortly after landing at 13:00.

No arrests after airport drug bust

“The 95kg of cocaine was seized at the cargo section of OR Tambo International Airport,” Mathe said.

No arrests have been made.

Mathe added that investigations are continuing to identify and apprehend those responsible for attempting to smuggle the drugs into the country.

“SAPS remains committed to disrupting organised criminal networks involved in the illicit drug trade and will continue working with its law enforcement partners to ensure that South Africa’s borders and ports of entry are protected from criminal exploitation,” Mathe said.

The latest seizure forms part of ongoing intelligence-led operations aimed at preventing illicit drugs from entering the country through South Africa’s ports of entry.

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