A 32-year-old woman was arrested at Cape Town International Airport for possession and suspected trafficking of cocaine following an intelligence-driven operation by South African law enforcement. The arrest occurred on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, after a coordinated effort involving the Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB), the Border Management Authority, Customs officials, and the SAPS.
The operation was launched after authorities received a tip-off about a female passenger traveling from Brazil to Cape Town, suspected of drug smuggling. Upon her arrival, the suspect was intercepted and searched, leading to the discovery of 70 cocaine bullets with an estimated street value of R245,000. Further investigation revealed that she had also ingested an unknown quantity of cocaine. The woman was subsequently transported to a medical facility for extraction and recovery of the swallowed narcotics. She is expected to appear in court soon on charges of drug trafficking.
This case highlights the increasing vigilance of South African authorities at major ports of entry amid a growing concern over international drug smuggling routes involving South America and Southern Africa. Drug enforcement agencies have intensified surveillance and intelligence-sharing efforts to curb the influx of illegal narcotics into the country.
In a separate incident on the same day, Western Cape police arrested four men in Parkwood for possession of drugs. Acting on community intelligence and under Operation Shanela II, members of the Grassy Park Crime Prevention Unit made the arrests around 6 p.m. These operations underscore law enforcement’s ongoing commitment to disrupting drug networks and ensuring public safety across the region.
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