A Bolivian medical student was arrested at King Shaka International Airport on Monday night with 2kg of pure cocaine worth R600 000 concealed in his suitcase.
The delivery was allegedly destined to a wealthy Durban businessman.
Police hope to close in on him and others in coming days.
A police source said the student had been profiled by crime intelligence and it is believed he had entered the country more than six times in the past few months.
He said the drugs were “properly sealed” in a silicone bag taped up and a resin had been used to cover the smell.
“The sniffer dogs couldn’t even detect the drugs. They were concealed in the back of his bag.”
The source said he had used fake passports each time and had entered the country from either Dubai or Tanzania.
The student’s arrest comes less than two weeks after two South Africans arrived at the airport from India with R6.5 million worth of crystal methamphetamine (crystal meth).
The 32-year-old student had arrived in South Africa at about 5pm on Monday on a flight from Brazil via Dubai.
He was arrested by members of the Durban Organised Crime Unit and customs.
The police source said they believed the student was one of the key drug mules of the Brazilian drug Mafia.
“The drug Mafia use him to bring the drugs into South Africa. He is a regular. He managed to evade arrest in the past because of his fake identities. This time he was not so lucky.”
The demand for pure cocaine was “massive” in Durban, the source said.
“The rich and elite in Durban keep the cocaine trade alive.
“But we are on to the network and hope to make more arrests in coming days,” the source said.
KZN police spokesman, Captain Thulani Zwane, said the student was arrested after a tip-off.
“The suspect was identified and arrested. His luggage was searched and officials found two parcels containing a total of 2kg of cocaine with a street value of approximately R600 000,” he said.
Zwane said the student had been stopped by authorities in Brazil and searched.
“The drugs were not found as they were well concealed. Fortunately we managed to intercept him on his arrival in Durban.”
KZN police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Mmamonnye Ngobeni commended members for the arrest.
She said it was imperative that they intercepted drug shipments before they hit the streets.
“By working together with various government departments, we are turning the tide on the drug trade. We are with the sources of these dangerous drugs,” she said.
The student is expected to appear in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on drug possession charges.
Alleged drug mules Lindy Walker, 28 and Abel Hermanus du Plessis, 29, are expected to make a bail application in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
They were reportedly found in possession of R6.5 million of crystal methamphetamine (tik), on October 22.
Police had acted on a tip-off and arrested the two on their arrival from India.
Their luggage was checked and 64 bags containing neatly folded Indian outfits and materials were found.
“On closer inspection of the packets, police discovered crystal meth weighing a total of 36kg hidden in between the clothing and material,” police said.
The drugs had been due for delivery in the Point area that same evening.
Police let the two keep their phones to make calls and continue on their journey – all the while under close police watch.
“When they arrived at Point, they handed over drugs to a woman who had been waiting for them on the road.
“It was at this point that the woman was arrested,” police said.
Sibongile Mthembu, 36, was arrested.
Police and customs had profiled the couple and established they had been in Delhi for a month before returning to South Africa.