Hawks Arrest Angolan Man at Cape Town Airport for Smuggling Cocaine from Brazil
In a major drug bust at Cape Town International Airport, a 30-year-old Angolan national was arrested on Wednesday for smuggling cocaine into South Africa.
Also Read: Drug Trafficking Bust: South African Woman Arrested at OR Tambo with Drugs Hidden in Her Stomach
Arrest at Cape Town International Airport
According to IOL, the suspect, who travelled from Brazil via Dubai, was apprehended by members of the Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) and the Cape Town Border Police.
Hawks provincial spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi stated that the arrest was based on intelligence about a passenger travelling this route.
Cocaine was discovered concealed inside three of the suspect’s suitcases.
“His arrest follows after the Hawks received information regarding a suspect that boarded a flight from overseas and heading to Cape Town. The information was operationalised and the suspect was spotted. Upon searching his luggage, he was found with cocaine hidden inside the three suitcases. ,” said Vukubi.
Authorities are yet to determine the value of the seized cocaine.
Court Appearance Scheduled
The suspect is expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Friday to face charges of drug dealing.
Also Read: Paraguayan Drug Mule Hospitalised Due To Bleeding After Being Caught With Drugs In His Stomach
Cocaine Seizure in Durban
This arrest follows a significant cocaine bust in Durban earlier this month. On December 2, KwaZulu-Natal police seized approximately R80 million worth of cocaine hidden in a container at Durban Harbour.
The shipment, originating from Brazil in November, was disguised as kidney beans. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda revealed that the container was tracked until it was searched on November 30 in a warehouse on South Coast Road in Bluff.
“The shipment was destined for Johannesburg. The cocaine was pure, but no arrests have been made thus far,” Netshiunda added.