Cocaine Bricks Weighing 50kg Found at OR Tambo Airport
"There were no passengers accompanying the bag, and no arrests were made" - Brigadier Athlenda Mathe
Cocaine Bricks Weighing 50kg Found at OR Tambo Airport
Johannesburg, South Africa – In a significant joint operation, staff from Airport Company South Africa, SARS Customs, and the police uncovered a substantial quantity of cocaine at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday morning. The operation led to the discovery of 47 bricks of compressed cocaine, with an estimated street value of R25 million.
In a statement, SARS revealed that their customs officers found the cocaine bricks, weighing approximately 50 kg, packed into a luggage bag. The bag was spotted by customs officers and airport security on a carousel for a flight from Sao Paolo, Brazil, heading to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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Upon inspection, customs officers identified suspicious objects within the bag. Tests confirmed the objects were narcotics. Notably, there were no passengers accompanying the bag, and no arrests were made at the scene. The South African Police Service has taken over the investigation.
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter emphasised the effectiveness of the inter-agency approach in combating drug trafficking.
Cocaine Bricks Weighing 50kg Found at OR Tambo Airport
“This multi-disciplinary approach is yielding tangible results, as evidenced by recent arrests and interceptions. Through these actions, we are safeguarding the wellbeing of our citizens, particularly the youth, who represent our future,” Kieswetter stated.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the ongoing investigation, reiterating that no arrests have been made yet. “There were no passengers accompanying the bag, and no arrests were made. Investigations are underway,” Mathe said.
SARS highlighted that Sao Paolo is a high-risk departure point for drug mules, with both accompanied and unaccompanied luggage often containing cocaine. Recent weeks have seen several drug mule busts at OR Tambo airport, with many mules having ingested cocaine tablets, which they later expelled under police supervision.
This operation underscores the ongoing efforts of South African authorities to combat drug trafficking and protect the nation's citizens from the scourge of narcotics.
