Police have arrested a 69-year-old man after drugs hidden in his travel bag were found at the OR Tambo International Airport.
He is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Friday following a bust at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday.
Gauteng police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the man was found in possession of eight kilograms of heroin, with a street value of around R1.2 million concealed in his travelling bag.
“Counter Narcotics Intelligence Head Office, Organised Crime Narcotics Head Office and K9 Unit West Rand operationalised intelligence information and intercepted the suspect as he attempted to board a flight destined for India,” Netshiunda said in a statement.
The accused has been charged with possession and dealing in drugs.
The arrest comes less than a month after a multidisciplinary team apprehended a 52-year-old man for drug trafficking following a bust at King Shaka International Airport.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo explained that the suspect was found with just over six kilograms of cocaine, valued at around R2.2m in his luggage. The man was believed to have been on his way to the Philippines. He has since appeared in court and investigations continue.
Meanwhile, last year, Insight Crime reported that South Africa had made great strides in seizing large quantities of drugs, destined for other countries.
The report indicated the confiscation of a ton of cocaine at a shipping container in the Durban Port that had arrived from the Brazilian port of Santos, in July.