Nigerian drug mule arrested at OR Tambo Airport

OR Tambo International Airport police arrested a Nigerian drug mule on Friday, 13 September 2024.

Police were working closely with airport security, BMA, customs officials and ACSA staff when the arrest was effected.

The drug mule had just landed from São Paulo in Brazil and was connecting to Nigeria when he met with a cleaner at the airport and handed him airline headphones.

Manhunt

Suspecting that there was something amiss, the team opened the aircraft headphones and found cocaine stashed in the headphones.

The drug mule claimed he is a street vendor in Nigeria and that he was in Brazil to buy clothes and shoes which he sells in his home country.

Police are investigating the claim.

The cleaner, who noticed that police were hot on his heels, evaded arrest.

Police have since launched a manhunt for him.

National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, says police remain dedicated to putting a stop to the illicit drug trafficking trade.

He says arrests and drug confiscations should serve as a deterrent to other drug traffickers, that they will be caught.

Masemola reiterated his stance in saying South Africa is not a playground for criminals and that any anyone who finds themselves on the wrong side of the law will be sniffed out from any corner of this country and made to answer to crimes committed.

R13 million worth of drugs

Masemola at the same time applauded a multi-disciplinary team working at the OR Tambo International Airport for their continued vigilance that continues to yield positive results.

In the past two months, more than R13 million worth of drugs – including R12 million worth of cocaine – has been seized at OR Tambo Airport.

Nine drug traffickers / drug mules have been arrested during this same period.

All suspects were arrested in the possession of these drugs.