SAPS and Ethiopian police secure R5.4m cocaine bust in Addis Ababa

SAPS and the Ethiopian Federal Police have arrested a 29-year-old South African woman in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, seizing 13kg of cocaine valued at R5.4m.

The woman was arrested on Saturday, following a co-ordinated international effort led by SAPS Gauteng’s counter-narcotics intelligence unit.

The suspect was flagged by SAPS covert intelligence through Interpol, on suspicion that she was involved in drug trafficking.

According to SAPS, the woman had initially travelled from OR Tambo International Airport to Brazil during the first week of October, with plans to transport drugs back to South Africa via a circuitous route through several countries, including Sudan and Ethiopia.

Working swiftly, SAPS intelligence informed the Ethiopian Federal Police of her itinerary, allowing authorities to intercept her on arrival in Addis Ababa.

A search of her luggage confirmed the presence of 13kg of cocaine, leading to her immediate arrest.

She is expected to face charges in an Ethiopian court.

General Fannie Masemola, national police commissioner, praised the collaboration.

“The co-operation between SAPS and the Ethiopian Federal Police is commendable.

“When African law enforcement agencies unite, we can achieve significant results.

“This operation sends a clear message that the long arm of the law will find you, no matter which route you choose to traffic drugs into South Africa,” he says.

He emphasised the SAPS’ commitment to combating transnational organised crime and drug trafficking, adding that the ongoing efforts by SAPS intelligence to stay ahead of criminal activities are ‘commendable’.

Further investigations will be conducted in collaboration with the Ethiopian Federal Police to identify and apprehend the masterminds behind the drug consignment.