R200m cocaine haul seized at OR Tambo International Airport

More than R200 million worth of suspected cocaine has been seized at OR Tambo International Airport after a multidisciplinary law enforcement operation intercepted two separate consignments.

The seizures were made on Tuesday, 25 August, by SAPS members attached to the airport working alongside other law enforcement authorities, including Customs officials.

In the first incident, two large travel suitcases were intercepted at the airport terminal. Police found approximately 84kg of suspected cocaine packed into blocks inside the luggage.

A separate interception was made in the airport's cargo section, where four boxes containing approximately 250kg of suspected cocaine were seized. The drugs were packed into 220 blocks.

The combined weight of the suspected cocaine was approximately 334kg, with an estimated street value of more than R200 million.

No arrests have been made in connection with the seizures.

Investigations are underway to identify those responsible for the importation and distribution of the drugs.

Acting National Commissioner of SAPS, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, praised the multidisciplinary team for intercepting the consignments.

“The vigilance of our members at this strategic port of entry ought to be commended. On a monthly basis, we continue to intercept large quantities of drugs and disrupt the activities of drug mules,” said Dimpane.

She said the seizures demonstrated law enforcement's determination to prevent South Africa from being used as a transit point or market for illicit drugs.

“These successes send a strong message that we will not allow South Africa to be used as a transit point or market for illicit drugs. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to detect, intercept and dismantle drug trafficking networks,” Dimpane said.