Major drug haul at OR Tambo

The drugs confiscated in two of the seizures are estimated to be worth some R26 million, while the drugs seized in the third bust is still being processed. 

Police spokesperson Vish Naidoo says two suspects were arrested after they landed on a flight from South America.

The third suspect was arrested while on his way to Hong Kong. 

ALSO READ: My job is to raise awareness, says Zozi

“Our members were this morning able to detect at least two people that were travelling from South America. The female was carrying 21 kg of cocaine in her luggage while the man was carrying cocaine just over 3 kg wrapped around his waist.

“While on my way to the airport, I also got a third call to say that we have arrested a 50-year-old man who was attempting to smuggle drugs from South Africa to Hong Kong. He is being processed as well,” says Naidoo.

According to a report by organisation Baaiga Ba and Locked Up in a Foreign Country, there has been a significant rise in drug trafficking cases via OR Tambo International.

The report claims that 20% of people arrested at Hong Kong International Airport went through OR Tambo International.

However, Naidoo does not believes the statistics paint an accurate picture.

“I have to contest that report, they never came to anybody here.That report suggested that people were passing through OR Tambo."

He adds: "We were not given the opportunity to respond to that and what we have done here. The arrests that we have made are indicative that we have the capacity and capability to detect and arrest those trying to smuggle drugs.”