Three arrested in R5.2-million OR Tambo drug bust

Three people have been arrested in separate incidents at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport for dealing in drugs‚ Gauteng police said on Sunday.

Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said that at about 11am on Friday‚ at the General Aviation section of the airport‚ police at the entrance had searched the hand luggage that belonged to a man and woman.

“That is when they discovered cocaine that weighs 18.3 kilograms with the estimated street value of R5.2-million. It was further discovered that the two are employees at the airport.

“Later in the day an operation conducted by the police and customs officials yielded positive results when they intercepted a consignment of ephedrine at the Swiss Port. The drugs were found concealed in vehicle oil filters packed inside containers. Six big forensic bags were used to take them to the laboratory for weighing. A 43-year-old man was arrested for dealing in drugs‚” Naidoo said.

He said the three suspects would be appearing in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court soon.

“These successes are a culmination of efforts that form part of the new revised strategy that has recently been implemented at the OR Tambo International Airport under the leadership of Major-General Dimakatso Ndaba which involves the South African Police Service's Crime Intelligence‚ Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation‚ Airports Company South Africa‚ O R Tambo International Airport‚ State Security Agency and other role players‚” Naidoo added.