A 52-year-old South African man has been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport after police allegedly found drugs suspected to be heroin worth more than R2 million in his luggage.
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According to TimesLive, the man was arrested on Sunday, 20 September 2026, after arriving in the country on a flight from Accra, Ghana.
Police state that the suspect was intercepted during an intelligence-led operation involving the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Border Management Authority (BMA).
Suspected heroin found in luggage
A search of the man’s luggage allegedly uncovered bullet-shaped objects and blocks containing substances suspected to be heroin. Police estimate the drugs’ street value at more than R2 million.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court later this week, where he is expected to face drug-trafficking-related charges. Investigations into the case are continuing, TimesLive reports.
The arrest comes as authorities continue targeting suspected drug-trafficking activity at South Africa’s busiest airport.
#sapsHQ [OR TAMBO DRUG BUST: 52-YEAR-OLD ARRESTED, HEROIN WORTH MORE THAN R2 MILLION SEIZED]
The South African Police Service (SAPS), with support from the Border Management Authority (BMA), has arrested another suspected drug mule at OR Tambo International Airport and seized… pic.twitter.com/BPOjSUDODj
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 20, 2026
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Third suspected drug mule arrested in 3 weeks
According to police, the latest arrest brings the number of suspected drug mules arrested at OR Tambo to three in the past three weeks.
Earlier in September, police arrested a 45-year-old man at the airport after allegedly finding approximately 2kg of cocaine, estimated to be worth more than R800,000. He was reportedly intercepted while preparing to travel to Hong Kong.
A 54-year-old South African man was also arrested at OR Tambo on 3 September 2026 after police allegedly discovered suspected cocaine concealed in his luggage while he was due to travel to Hong Kong.
Police have said the arrests form part of ongoing intelligence-led and targeted operations aimed at disrupting suspected drug-trafficking syndicates operating through the country’s ports of entry.
The latest suspect remains in police custody pending his court appearance. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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