333kg of Cocaine Worth R200 Million Seized at OR Tambo in Brazil Flight Bust

• SARS Customs and SAPS intercepted over 333kg of suspected cocaine at OR Tambo International Airport from a São Paulo flight
• A narcotics detector dog named Lagertha flagged four boxes of unmanifested cargo in the airport's cargo section, leading to a second major find
• The two consignments shared similar branding, raising questions about whether the interceptions were part of a coordinated smuggling operation

GAUTENG — More than 333 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of between R167 million and R200 million has been seized at OR Tambo International Airport following a targeted operation involving a flight from São Paulo, Brazil.

SARS Customs and Excise led the operation in collaboration with SAPS and other law enforcement partners, covering baggage off-loading, passenger arrivals screening, and cargo inspections.

Two separate interceptions, one flight

The first interception occurred in the terminal arrivals hall, where officials discovered two pieces of luggage containing approximately 83 kilograms of suspected cocaine packed into 75 bricks.

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South Africans amazed by R300K drug bust as woman arrested after cocaine is found inside doll head

A second, larger find followed in the cargo section of the airport. SARS narcotics detector dog Lagertha alerted officials to four boxes of unmanifested cargo from the same São Paulo flight. The boxes contained roughly 250 kilograms of the suspected narcotic, packed into approximately 220 blocks. Both consignments displayed similar "Air" branding, pointing to a possible link between the two hauls.

Investigations ongoing, no arrests made

All seized substances were handed over to SAPS for forensic processing and further investigation. At the time of publication, no arrests had been made and authorities had not confirmed whether the two consignments formed part of a broader international trafficking network.

Investigators are working to trace those responsible for importing and distributing the drugs, though full details about the consignments have not yet been released publicly.

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3 articles on massive drug busts

• Briefly News reported that South Africans were left amazed at the ingenuity of drug deals after a 36-year-old woman was arrested at Bram Fischer International Airport with 232 stones of suspected crack cocaine concealed inside a hairdresser's doll head.
• A 39-year-old man has been arrested after Durban Metro Police raided a property on Rinkford Road in Phoenix, recovering drugs with a combined street value exceeding R1 million.
• Police at OR Tambo International Airport arrested a 26-year-old Brazilian national after intercepting cocaine with an estimated street value of R8.7 million. The transgender suspect was apprehended shortly after arriving on a flight from Brazil

Source: Briefly News