Fourteen drug mules have been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport in just two weeks.
The latest case occurred on Sunday, October 6, when a 43-year-old Paraguayan man flying from São Paulo, Brazil, was found with an estimated 20 bullets of cocaine.
He was later rushed to hospital following a health complication after releasing 117 cocaine bullets, putting a pause to his detainment.
Is South Africa becoming a drug mule hotbed?
It was only a week ago when a suspected 21-year-old South African woman was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport.
She, too, arrived from São Paulo and was later found with 110 drug bullets – the most, according to South African Police Service (SAPS), in eight years.
In both instances, the subjects were profiled before takeoff and arrested once they arrived on South African soil.
Another 12 drug mules have been caught – within fourteen days – causing an unprecedented spike in the number of drugs being detected at South Africa’s biggest airport.
So, why the sudden surge? Has South Africa become the latest cartel hotspot, or has this been going on for years, with border control only now stepping up its game?
Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda van Wyk, who reported from the scene on Sunday, said in a statement: “The drug mule had landed from São Paulo when he was arrested by police officials at the airport. A medical examination confirmed that he had swallowed multiple foreign objects and has so far released more than 20 bullets suspected to contain cocaine.
“Every week in the last month, SAPS has arrested at least one drug mule at OR Tambo International Airport. This week alone, police arrested three drug mules, including two Dutch traffickers, found with 80kg of khat.
“According to a preliminary report, both the 21-year-old and 59-year-old suspects were en route from South Africa to the Netherlands via Dubai when they were intercepted by police. They attempted to check in and board their flights on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively”.
When was the last time you flew out of OR Tambo International Airport?
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