A 43-year-old Paraguayan woman was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday for attempting to smuggle cocaine into South Africa. Authorities discovered that the woman had ingested 33 pellets filled with cocaine. The arrest is the latest in a string of drug trafficking busts at the airport, highlighting ongoing efforts to curb international drug smuggling at one of Africa’s busiest airports.
The woman had arrived at OR Tambo on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil, when she was detained. After being taken to a local hospital, a medical X-ray revealed the presence of the foreign objects in her stomach. The 33 pellets, also known as “drug bullets,” were later released. This marks the fourth drug trafficking bust at OR Tambo in just two weeks, with authorities ramping up their efforts to intercept smugglers.
This arrest is part of a broader crackdown on drug trafficking at OR Tambo International, which has seen an alarming number of drug mules intercepted in recent months. In September alone, South African authorities arrested a 21-year-old woman and a Namibian national for similar offenses. Both individuals were caught with drugs concealed in their bodies, with the South African woman found to have swallowed over 100 pellets. Additionally, a Nigerian drug mule was arrested with drugs valued at over R13 million.
According to police minister Senzo Mchunu, South African authorities seized drugs worth R77.7 million between April and June 2024. Between September and October, 14 drug mules were arrested at OR Tambo, including two Dutch traffickers caught with 80 kg of Khat. The latest arrests underscore the persistence of global drug trafficking networks and the continued vigilance of South African law enforcement.
