Johannesburg – A Brazilian drug mule was detained at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday after authorities discovered he was expelling pellets filled with illegal substances.
The 21-year-old, who had ingested the pellets, arrived on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil, just after 12:20.
As per the South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the individual was arrested on the afternoon of Tuesday following intelligence received by law enforcement agencies.
“The drug mule was taken to a local medical facility where an x-ray confirmed the presence of foreign items in his stomach,” Brigadier Mathe said.
“The procedure to extract these foreign items has commenced, and SAPS can verify that the suspect is expelling plastic-wrapped ‘bullets’ of cocaine.”
Brigadier Mathe also stated: “He is anticipated to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on charges of drug possession and trafficking by the end of the week.”
Brigadier Mathe pointed out that police at OR Tambo International Airport are increasing their vigilance as they enhance safety efforts for the festive season.
She underscored that the SAPS “Safer Festive Season Operations” are fully active across the nation, ensuring that criminals in all regions are “under pressure.”
The apprehension of the suspected drug mule marks the second incident of this nature within just a few days.
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