Woman busted for drugs at OR Tambo
The 30-year-old woman was taken to hospital where an X-ray confirmed that she had ingested over 60 'bullets' of suspected cocaine.
An alleged 30-year-old Namibian drug mule was arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, September 22 for attempting to smuggle cocaine into the country.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said SAPS, SARS custom officials and immigration officers followed up on intelligence from SAPS of a suspected drug mule who was passenger on a flight from São Paulo.
The flight landed at 07:25.
“This is the tenth drug mule to be arrested at OR Tambo International Airport in the past two months,” said Mathe.
Also read: Man arrested in Kempton CBD with drugs valued at over R80k
“The team intercepted the woman as she was making her way through immigration.”
Mathe said the woman was arrested and taken to a local hospital where a medical x-ray detected foreign objects in her stomach.
“Shortly after the process to release the suspected drugs from the woman’s body began she expelled over 60 bullets of what is suspected to be cocaine,” said Mathe.
Mathe confirmed that the woman was placed under police guard at the hospital.
Also read: Customs officers make R40m drug bust at OR Tambo International Airport
“The value of the drugs cannot be determined at this stage as the process to release all suspected drugs from the suspect’s body may take some time,” added Mathe.
National SAPS commissioner General Fannie Masemola applauded the vigilance of the multidisciplinary team working tirelessly to clampdown on criminality at OR Tambo International Airport.
“Our men and women in blue are hard at work intercepting hardened criminals.
“South Africa is not a playground for criminals and transnational organised crime syndicates.
“‘We are squeezing the space for criminals and leaving nothing to chance,” said Masemola.
