Cape Town International Airport was the scene of a dramatic drug bust after police intercepted a consignment of cocaine valued at R2.4 million, hidden in chocolate wraps.
Cape Town Airport drug bust: Police intercept cocaine ‘candy’
In a statement, Cape Town police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi revealed a team of SAPS’ organised narcotics team was strategically placed at the airport’s international arrivals terminal, anticipating the arrival of a passenger carrying a large shipment of cocaine.
From what we understand, the operation was in response to a tip-off from an unknown source, who warned that a passenger disembarking from a Dubai flight would attempt to smuggle a large consignment of cocaine into Cape Town.
While it remains unclear what information authorities had on the suspect, WO Swartbooi revealed “members were strategically placed to profile and searched passengers disembarking from an international flight from Dubai just before midday.”
It was a long and tedious affair searching every corner of each passenger’s luggage. However, police struck gold when, in a luggage bag belonging to a 37-year-old male who disembarked from a Dubai flight, a large consignment of cocaine was found disguised in a packet of chocolate sweets.
“Their mandate was fulfilled when they confiscated 4 kg of cocaine wrapped in chocolate wrappings hidden in the luggage of one of the passengers. A 37 year old man was arrested and detained on a charge of dealing in drugs,” WO Swartbooi revealed.
The identity of the suspect remains unknown, at this time. It’s also unclear if the alleged smuggler was a foreign national or a South African citizen.
WO Swartbooi explained the 37-year-old accused drug mule will appear at the Bellville Magistrate’s Court later this week.
