Foreign national arrested for drug trafficking at OR Tambo International Airport

The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation(HAWKS) announced that arrested a foreign national that was trafficking drugs to Ghana at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday. 

Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela confirmed that a 48-year-old foreign national has been arrested at the OR Tambo International on Tuesday,24 June 2025 by the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation(SOCI) for contravening the Drug and Drug Trafficking Act,Act 140 of 1992.

According to Mavimbela,the law enforcement agencies arrested the suspect after utilising the information about him and was found with 2kg of heroine hidden in his luggage.

"On Tuesday,24 June 2025 a multi-disciplinary operation was conducted by Pretoria based Serious Organised Crime,SAPS Flying Squad,K9 Dog Unit,Transnational Organised Crime and the airports Crime Prevention Officers.The officers followed up on information about a suspect who would be transporting drugs to Ghana.

Officers identified the suspect at the airport.Permission to search the luggage was granted,upon searching about 2kg of suspected Heroine was discovered hidden in the suspect's luggage.The suspect was arrested,"added W/O Mavimbela.

W/O Mavimbela also mentioned the suspect is expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate Court on Thursday,26 June 2025.The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Gauteng,Major General Ebrahim Kadwa has commended the multidisciplinary team in apprehending the suspect and appeals to the public to report drug dealing and trafficking to authorities.

In a two separate operations,the police arrested two suspects which were found in possession of drugs at Odendaalsrus in Free State province.

Sergeant Palesa Thabana confirmed that two male suspects,aged 27 and 26,were arrested in separate incidents following allegations of dealing and possession of drugs on Tuesday,24 June 2025.

Sergeant Thabana revealed that the police received a tip-off about these two young men which were dealing with drugs around Odendaalsrus.

"Members of the Welkom Anti-Gang Unit allegedly received a tip on two men who were engaged in drug sales in Odendaalsrus.The information was operationalised,and it first led them to an area in Kutloanong,Odendaalsrus where they apprehended a 27-year-old male after he attempted to evade arrest.Police confiscated one small packet of crystal meth,eleven small packets of nyaope drugs weighing 0,05g,and money to the amount of R118-00.

Further investigations led members to the Odendaalsrus CBD area.On arrival,they spotted a 26-year-old male who was allegedly dealing in drugs.Police confiscated 20 packets of nyaope drugs weighing 0,17g,and cash to the amount of R162-00,"said Sergeant Thabana.

According to Sergeant Thabana,the two male suspects aged 27 and 26 were subsequently arrested for dealing and possession of drugs.They will appear in the Welkom Magistrate's Court soon.