A 52-year-old man, suspected to be a drug mule, was arrested at King Shaka International Airport on Saturday.

The arrest was confirmed by Hawks spokesperson Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo who explained the man arrived at the airport from Johannesburg.

Mhlongo said they received information from crime intelligence and set up an operation to nab the mule.

“The man’s luggage was searched and 6.38kg of cocaine with a street value of about R2.2m was found concealed in his bag. He was subsequently arrested and charged with drug trafficking and the possession of drugs,” added Mhlongo.

It is believed the man was set to depart for the Philippines.

Mhlongo shared that the man was to appear in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court today. The court outcome was not yet known at the time of publishing this story.