10 suspected drug mules arrested at OR Tambo International Airport over past 2 months
In the latest incident, a 30-year-old Namibian woman was arrested on Sunday after landing on a flight from São Paulo.
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JOHANNESBURG - Ten suspected drug mules have been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport over the past two months as authorities ramp up efforts to curb drug trafficking.
In the latest incident, a 30-year-old Namibian woman was arrested on Sunday after landing on a flight from São Paulo.
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A multidisciplinary team comprising the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs, and immigration officials - had been tracking her movements based on intelligence reports.
The woman was intercepted while making her way through immigration.
She was then taken to a local hospital where x-rays revealed foreign objects in her stomach, believed to be packets of illegal drugs.
Authorities said the process to safely extract the drugs is ongoing and could take some time.
Meanwhile, the value of the drugs is yet to be determined.
Police spokesperson Colonel Brenda Muridili said the bust was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle international drug smuggling syndicates using South Africa as a transit point.
With heightened security at OR Tambo International Airport, law enforcement officials have vowed to continue working around the clock to prevent the trafficking of illegal substances through the country’s busiest airport.