South Africans Amazed by R300K Drug Bust as Woman Arrested After Cocaine Is Found Inside Doll Head
- A woman was arrested at Bram Fischer International Airport after she was intercepted with suspected crack cocaine stones
- Officers found the drugs hidden in an unusual item and also discovered a large amount of cash on the 36-year-old woman
- South Africans weighed in on the arrest, sharing varied reactions to how the woman attempted to smuggle the drugs
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Source: UGC
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
FREE STATE – South Africans were left amazed at the ingenuity of drug deals after a 36-year-old woman was arrested at Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein.
The woman was arrested on Saturday, 22 August 2026, after police discovered 232 stones of suspected crack cocaine concealed inside a hairdresser's doll head. The woman was reportedly preparing to fly to Johannesburg.
The arrest was effected after an Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) supervisor alerted Visible Policing Unit members responsible for crime prevention at the airport about a suspicious item in the woman's luggage.
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Drugs discovered inside foam-stuffed doll head
Speaking about the incident, police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane said officers responded to the tip-off and were directed to the hairdresser's doll head belonging to the suspect.
"The hairdresser's doll head was opened, and the material stuffed inside the doll with foam was removed. 232 stones, suspected to be rock drug or crack cocaine, with an estimated street value of R300,000, were counted in the presence of the suspect," Covane said.
Local Criminal Records Centre experts were also called to the scene to process the evidence.
Woman found with cash as well
Officers conducted a further body search on the suspect and recovered R93,220 in cash.
Covane confirmed that a case docket covering possession of drugs, with an additional charge of money laundering, was opened at Navalsig Police Station. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) will investigate the matter.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court in the coming days.
South Africans weigh in on the news
The story drew considerable comment online, with many social media users expressing both surprise and scepticism.
Wailer Ruzivo wrote:
"Criminals never run out of ideas!"
Carlos Bakang noted:
"They are too creative, these drug lords."
Head Wish raised a concern, writing:
"I hope this was not to distract officers while more people are passing somewhere else."
Humble Lemmetjies quipped:
"Chucky is a Nigerian now."
Simphiwe Skhakhane claimed:
“This is the reason why they are taking over salons.”
Mac Pherson agreed:
“Lol. They suddenly are in charge of salons, and now it's used as drug dens.”
Other stories of drug mules caught with cocaine
- A 30-year-old woman was arrested after X-rays revealed that she had swallowed cocaine bullets.
- A 25-year-old woman was arrested by law enforcement officials after she was found with cocaine in her luggage.
- A 33-year-old woman was arrested at Cape Town International Airport for attempting to smuggle cocaine into the country.
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Source: Briefly News
