Brazilian national arrested after being caught with cocaine worth R1.4m

A Brazilian national has been arrested after being caught with cocaine worth an estimated street value of R1.4 million strapped to his legs.

The 39-year-old man was handcuffed by officers at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday morning after arriving from São Paulo.

Arrest

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the drug mule was in transit to Benin when he was intercepted by officers at the airport.

“He was pulled aside and during a body search, cocaine was found wrapped around his legs.  He has been arrested and is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on a charge of drug trafficking”.

ALSO READ: Police arrest Nigerian drug mule at OR Tambo International Airport

Drug arrests

Mathe said police were intensifying their efforts to clamp down on the illicit trade of drugs.

She said from January 2025 to March 2025, 23 306 suspects were arrested for possession of drugs.

“These include drug traffickers that continue to be apprehended at OR Tambo International Airport. Most of these drug traffickers are coming into the country from Brazil and are found to have swallowed these drugs.

“Through targeted intelligence operations we have been able to intercept more than 20 drug traffickers in the last six months at this port of entry,” Mathe said.

Drug dealing

Mathe added that a total of 3 471 suspects were also arrested for dealing in drugs.

These include six Mozambicans and three South Africans who were arrested in Standerton, Mpumalanga, after police dismantled a clandestine drug laboratory in the area.

“Drugs, high-performance vehicles and machinery, all to the value of R27 million, were confiscated in this operation, including R3 million in cash that was found in the boot of a Mercedes-Benz,” Mathe said.

Drug lab

Mathe said during this same period, a clandestine drug laboratory was also shut down in Westonaria, Gauteng. Two suspects were arrested.

“On the 7 March 2025, the national police commissioner led a drug destruction operation in the Western Cape, where drugs worth R340 million were destroyed.

Mathe said the police destroy drugs that are seized from various operations on a regular basis to ensure it permanently removes the drugs from circulation. In the past three years, R5.2 billion worth of drugs had been destroyed.

ALSO READ: Gauteng man arrested for transporting crystal meth worth R50m