A 52-year-old South African national has been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport after authorities allegedly found suspected heroin worth more than R2 million in his luggage.
The arrest was carried out on Sunday, September 20, 2026, following an intelligence-led operation involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), with support from the Border Management Authority (BMA).
According to SAPS, the suspect had arrived at the airport on a flight from Accra, Ghana, when officers conducted a search of his luggage.
The search allegedly uncovered bullet-like objects and blocks containing substances suspected to be heroin.
The seized substances are estimated to have a street value of more than R2 million.
The arrest brings to three the number of suspected drug mules apprehended at OR Tambo International Airport within the past three weeks, as South African authorities intensify efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking operations.
SAPS said the suspect is expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court later this week to face drug trafficking-related charges.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the source of the suspected drugs and determine whether the suspect was allegedly acting on behalf of a wider trafficking network.
In a statement posted on Facebook on Sunday, SAPS said it would continue to intensify intelligence-led and targeted operations aimed at dismantling drug trafficking syndicates.
The latest arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny of international drug trafficking routes involving South Africa and other countries, with authorities increasing intelligence gathering and screening at major ports of entry.
