A 26-year-old Brazilian national is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court tomorrow after police at OR Tambo International Airport yesterday intercepted cocaine with an estimated street value of R8.7m.

Kempton Express reports that, according to national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the suspect was apprehended upon arrival from Brazil. The Witness reports the suspect identifies as transgender.

Police, acting on intelligence, conducted a search of the suspect’s luggage.

“During the search, members discovered multiple blocks of cocaine wrapped and concealed inside his luggage,” said Mathe.

This arrest forms part of ongoing intelligence-driven operations targeting transnational drug trafficking networks operating through South Africa’s largest port of entry.

Police at OR Tambo have in recent months recorded several successes in intercepting drug traffickers attempting to smuggle narcotics into the country.

“The interception of drug traffickers has gone a long way in disrupting the supply of illicit drugs and strengthening the fight against organised crime,” said Mathe.

Airport drug bust

The suspect was arrested after arriving from Brazil and flagged through intelligence-led profiling at OR Tambo International Airport.

Multiple blocks of cocaine were found hidden inside the suspect’s luggage during a search by police.

Authorities say the arrest forms part of sustained efforts to disrupt transnational drug trafficking networks using South Africa’s main port of entry.

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