BY: LUYANDA MZOBE
A 44-year-old Nigerian drug trafficker was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport, on the 13th of September 2024, Friday evening. More than R10 million worth of drugs were seized and 9 drug mules nabbed at OR Tambo airport in two months.
Cocaine stashed in the headphones. Picture inside: ACSA
The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola has restated his perspective in saying South Africa is not a playground for criminals and that any corner of this country will sniff out anyone who finds themselves on the wrong side of the law.
This comes after more than R13 million worth of drugs including R12 million worth of cocaine has been snatched at OR Tambo International Airport in the past two months. 9 drug traffickers have been arrested during this same period, all suspects were arrested in possession of these drugs
The 44-year-old drug mule who was arrested on Friday had just landed from Sao Paulo and was connecting to Nigeria when he met with the cleaner at the airport and handed him airline headphones, suspecting that there was something amiss, the team opened the aircraft headphones and found cocaine stashed in the headphones. Police were working closely with the airport security, BMA, customs officials, and ACSA staff when the arrest was effected.
Drugs snatched from a drug mule. Picture inside: ACSA
The drug trafficker who claims to be a street vendor in Nigeria claims he was in Brazil to buy clothes and shoes that he sells in his home country, the investigation is in progress to prove honesty in the statement given by the culprit, the cleaner evaded arrested. Police have since launched a manhunt for him
General Masemola has applauded a multidisciplinary team at OR Tambo International Airport for their continued vigilance. Masemola said previous drug-related arrests and drug confiscations should serve as a deterrent to other drug mules.
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