A 30-year-old Namibian woman was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport after authorities discovered that she was attempting to smuggle cocaine capsules hidden in her stomach.
Story Summary:
- A 30-year-old Namibian woman was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport for allegedly smuggling cocaine in capsules hidden in her stomach.
- Authorities intercepted her upon arrival from São Paulo, and a medical examination confirmed the presence of foreign objects in her body.
- This arrest marks the tenth drug mule apprehended at OR Tambo Airport in the past two months.
What we know about the alleged drug mule
The woman arrived on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil, and was immediately intercepted by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), SARS Customs, and immigration officials, acting on intelligence provided by SAPS.
Authorities became suspicious and took the woman to a local hospital, where an X-ray examination revealed numerous foreign objects inside her stomach.
These objects were later identified as capsules containing cocaine.
So far, she has released more than 60 capsules, but the process of extracting all the substances is still ongoing. The total value of the drugs is yet to be determined.
General Fannie Masemola, the National Commissioner of SAPS, praised the swift action taken by law enforcement.
“Our men and women in blue are hard at work intercepting hardened criminals. South Africa is not a playground for criminals and transnational organised crime,” he stated.
Drug mules often risk their lives by swallowing capsules filled with drugs, a method that can lead to serious health complications or even death if a capsule ruptures inside the body.
Medical experts have warned that this form of smuggling is extremely dangerous, as the capsules can cause intestinal blockages or burst, resulting in a potentially fatal overdose.
Ten drug mules arrested in two months at OR Tambo
The arrest of this Namibian woman is the latest in a string of drug-related interceptions at OR Tambo International Airport, bringing the total to 10 drug mules apprehended in the past two months.
OR Tambo, a major entry and exit point for international flights, has long been a hotspot for drug smuggling activities.
Authorities at the airport have enhanced their vigilance by using advanced scanning technology, intelligence-sharing networks, and increased collaboration between SAPS, SARS Customs, and the Department of Home Affairs to identify and apprehend drug mules attempting to use the airport as a transit point for narcotics.
According to SAPS, the recent wave of arrests included individuals from various countries, highlighting the international nature of drug trafficking networks.
The substances seized at the airport in recent months have included cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, often hidden in luggage, concealed within personal belongings, or swallowed in capsules by drug mules.
In a recent case, authorities discovered a man carrying over 2 kilograms of heroin hidden in a false bottom of his suitcase, while another suspect was caught with cocaine sewn into his clothes.
The intensified crackdown on drug trafficking has proven successful, but authorities warn that drug syndicates continuously adapt their methods to avoid detection.
General Masemola added that the multidisciplinary teams working at OR Tambo remain committed to ensuring that South Africa does not become a transit hub for drug trafficking, stating:
“We are squeezing the space for criminals and leaving nothing to chance.”
