Johannesburg, 23 May 2025 – A 39-year-old Brazilian man was apprehended at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday after arriving on a flight from São Paulo, South Africa’s busiest international airport.
The arrest was made following a routine body search conducted by the South African Police Service (SAPS), which uncovered cocaine with an estimated street value of R1.4 million. The drugs were found meticulously wrapped around the suspect’s legs, concealed in an attempt to evade detection.
The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was in transit to Benin when authorities intercepted him. He was promptly detained and charged with drug trafficking.
SAPS confirmed that he is scheduled to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court to face formal charges related to the possession and attempted smuggling of the illicit substance.
This arrest forms part of a broader, ongoing effort by SAPS to curb drug trafficking at South Africa’s key ports of entry and within its borders. According to SAPS data for the first quarter of 2025 (January to March), law enforcement agencies have made significant strides in combating the drug trade.
A total of 23,306 individuals were arrested for drug possession during this period, with over 20 suspected traffickers intercepted specifically at OR Tambo International Airport. Additionally, 3,471 arrests were made for drug dealing across the country.
Notable operations in the same quarter include the dismantling of a major drug laboratory in Standerton, Mpumalanga, where authorities seized assets valued at R27 million and confiscated R3 million in cash.
Another clandestine drug lab was shut down in Westonaria, Gauteng, further disrupting the production of illegal substances. On 7 March 2025, SAPS destroyed drugs worth R340 million in the Western Cape, marking a significant blow to drug trafficking networks.
Over the past three years, SAPS has intensified its efforts to dismantle criminal syndicates involved in the drug trade, resulting in the destruction of narcotics valued at R5.2 billion.
The police service remains committed to strengthening its operations at airports, borders, and within communities to prevent the flow of illegal drugs and disrupt organized crime networks.
The arrest at OR Tambo underscores the vigilance of South African authorities in tackling the global drug trade, particularly at strategic entry points like OR Tambo International Airport, which serves as a major hub for international travel and trade. The suspect’s court appearance will be closely watched as part of South Africa’s ongoing fight against drug trafficking.
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