Five women arrested at OR Tambo Airport with drugs worth over R5 million
Viable News Team 
Five South African women have been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport after authorities uncovered drugs worth more than R5 million concealed on their bodies, in what officials describe as a major anti-trafficking breakthrough.
The arrests were carried out on Saturday, 28 March 2026, by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in collaboration with Airports Company South Africa (ACSA). According to a preliminary report, the suspects were preparing to travel from Johannesburg to China, with a stopover in Dubai.
During a search operation, officers discovered the illicit substances hidden in multiple ways, including inside the suspects’ sneakers, underwear, and internally. Authorities believe the women were acting as drug couriers, commonly referred to as “mules,” transporting narcotics across international borders for organised criminal networks.
The five suspects are expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, where they will face charges related to drug trafficking. Police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with a focus on identifying the broader syndicate behind the operation.
South Africa’s major airports, particularly OR Tambo, remain key transit points in global drug trafficking routes, linking Africa to markets in Asia and Europe. Law enforcement agencies have increased surveillance and intelligence-led operations in recent years to disrupt these networks.
Authorities have repeatedly warned about the dangers and severe legal consequences of acting as a drug courier, both locally and internationally. Convictions for trafficking can result in lengthy prison sentences, especially in countries with strict drug laws.
The latest arrests highlight continued cooperation between airport authorities and police in tackling transnational crime, as well as the evolving methods used by traffickers to avoid detection.
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