Man arrested at OR Tambo after cocaine worth more than R800,000 allegedly found
Police arrested a 45-year-old traveller at OR Tambo after cocaine worth more than R800,000 was allegedly found in his luggage.
A 45-year-old man has been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport after police allegedly found cocaine worth more than R800,000 in his luggage.
Police said the man was arrested on Monday while preparing to travel to Hong Kong. The arrest followed an intelligence-led operation in which officers searched his luggage.
The drugs were allegedly concealed inside the bag. Police had not released the weight of the substance in the information available on Tuesday morning.
The man is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on charges linked to drug trafficking. The allegations have not been tested in court and the arrest does not amount to a conviction.
Investigators are continuing to examine the suspected smuggling operation. Police had not announced whether they were searching for additional suspects or whether the traveller had begun his journey elsewhere.
OR Tambo is South Africa's busiest international airport and remains a major focus for customs and police operations targeting narcotics carried by passengers or moved through cargo channels.
The estimated value of more than R800,000 comes from the police account carried by eNCA. Authorities had not published a laboratory confirmation or a detailed valuation method at the time of publication.
The suspect's identity was not released in the initial report. Further details are expected when the case reaches court.