Cape Town – A Brazilian female drug smuggler was apprehended by police at OR Tambo International Airport after being found in possession of cocaine valued at R4.2 million.
In a statement, police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk confirmed that the 25-year-old female suspect was arrested on Tuesday, 29 July, upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport from São Paulo, Brazil, via Doha.
According to the SAPS, the arrest followed an intelligence-driven operation, with the team acting swiftly to identify and apprehend the drug mule shortly after her arrival.
“Acting on intelligence, a team comprising Crime Intelligence Counter Narcotics Intel Gauteng, ORTIA SAPS Tactical Team, Border Management Authority (BMA), and private security successfully identified and intercepted the Brazilian national shortly after landing.
“A search of the trafficker’s luggage led police to uncover about 10kg of cocaine with an estimate value of R4.2 million,” said Lieutenant Colonel van Wyk.
#sapsHQ A 25-year-old drug trafficker was arrested on arrival from São Paulo (Brazil) via Doha (Qatar) on 29/07. Acting on intelligence, Crime Intelligence Counter Narcotics Intel Gauteng, ORTIA #SAPS Tactical Team, BMA & private security intercepted the Brazilian national.… pic.twitter.com/YqqDw8gyQu
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 29, 2025
In an interview with eNCA, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the 25-year-old suspect is being held at a medical facility, where she is undergoing a medical examination to determine whether she ingested additional drugs.
“Our investigators have taken her for a medical examination to just a certain whether she had… perhaps check whether she had also swallowed some of the drugs.
Speaking on the dangers involved in drug smuggling, Mathe highlighted the life-threatening methods often used by drug mules:
“Some of these drug mules they carry the drugs in their bags, but also they swallow the drugs which is a dangerous exercise.
“We have had drugs mules bleeding in police custody, we than had to rush them to medical facilities and so on,” said Mathe.
SAPS has continued to make progress in disrupting transnational drug syndicates operating between South Africa and other countries.
As a result of the intelligence-driven operations which have led to over 25 drug traffickers being arrested at this port of entry since the start of the year.
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Compiled by Anda Tolibadi
