Johannesburg – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has intercepted a 95kg consignment of cocaine with an estimated street value of R28 million at OR Tambo International Airport following an intelligence-driven operation targeting drug trafficking.
According to SAPS, the drugs were seized on Friday, 31 July 2026, after police received intelligence from the SAPS Crime Intelligence Border Integrity Unit about a suspected drug shipment.
The information was acted on by members of the SAPS Visible Policing Unit stationed at OR Tambo International Airport, working alongside Customs officials and operational members from Menzies Aviation.
Police said the cargo arrived on a flight from São Paulo and was intercepted immediately after landing at about 1pm.
“The cargo, which had arrived on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil, was intercepted immediately upon arrival at approximately 13:00. The 95 kilograms of cocaine were seized at the cargo section of OR Tambo International Airport,” SAPS said in a statement.
No arrests have been made.
Police said investigations are continuing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attempted drug smuggling operation.
“No arrests have been effected at this stage. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those involved in the attempted smuggling operation,” the statement said.
SAPS reiterated its commitment to combating organised crime and disrupting international drug trafficking syndicates.
“The SAPS remains committed to disrupting organised criminal networks involved in the illicit drug trade and will continue working with its law enforcement partners to ensure that South Africa’s borders and ports of entry are protected from criminal exploitation,” the police said.
The seizure marks another significant blow against transnational drug trafficking networks using South Africa’s ports of entry to move illicit narcotics into and through the country.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
