A suspected drug mule was arrested by members of the SAPS at the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) yesterday.

Police were following up on intelligence that a man aboard an identified aircraft from São Paulo, Guarulhos International Airport in Brazil, was carrying drugs.

As soon as the identified aircraft landed at ORTIA just before 07:00, police identified the man and took him for questioning while a team searched the aircraft and found a parcel of cocaine worth R1m.

The cocaine was discovered, wrapped in plastic, leading police to believe the consignment was strapped to his body.

The man, who is a Brazilian national, has been detained and is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court this week on a charge of drug trafficking.

National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola welcomed the arrest and warned those involved in transnational organised crime that SA is no playground for these syndicates who are involved in the trafficking of drugs.

“Our members throughout the country remain vigilant and ready to intercept these drug traffickers. It’s been a progressive two weeks for SAPS in intercepting large quantities of drugs.

“R252m worth of cocaine was seized in Western Cape, a Russian national is among those arrested. A drug lab worth R2b was shutdown in Limpopo and two Mexican nationals were arrested in that case.

“We are hard at work and we are leaving nothing to chance. SA is not a playground for these syndicates. We are working closely with international authorities in sharing information. We will continue to intensify our efforts in intercepting criminals and illicit substances, [as well as] illegal firearms,” said Masemola.