JOHANNESBURG – South African police have arrested three foreign nationals in separate drug trafficking incidents at OR Tambo International Airport, all within days of each other.
On Thursday morning, a 42-year-old Nigerian man arriving from São Paulo and transiting to Nigeria was stopped by officers shortly after landing at 7:00 am. A medical scan confirmed he had ingested over 70 pellets suspected to be filled with cocaine.
Two days earlier, on Tuesday 10 June 2025, a 30-year-old woman from Brazil was intercepted at 6:15 am after arriving on a flight from São Paulo. During questioning and inspection of her bags, she confessed to swallowing more than 100 drug capsules. Medical imaging later confirmed her claims. 
Later that same day, a 57-year-old Ethiopian man was caught at the check-in counter as he attempted to leave South Africa. A search of his luggage led to the discovery of over 90 kilograms of Khat, a stimulant banned in the country.
All three suspects were taken into custody and are due to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on drug trafficking charges.
According to a police statement, more than 23 individuals have been arrested for similar offences at OR Tambo over the past six months through intelligence-led operations.
