Sneakers worn by the suspects where drugs were discovered concealed during a search at OR Tambo International Airport. A string of recent drug mule arrests at South Africa’s major airports, including the detention of five South African women caught with R5 million drugs hidden in their snickers and bodies at OR Tambo International Airport, is highlighting a growing and dangerous trafficking trend linked to global criminal networks.
Image: IOL Graphics / SAPS / Canva
A STRING OF recent drug mule arrests at South Africa’s major airports, including the detention of five South African women caught with R5 million drugs hidden in their snickers and bodies at OR Tambo International Airport, is highlighting a growing and dangerous trafficking trend linked to global criminal networks.
Authorities say South Africa is increasingly being used as both a transit and recruitment hub, with traffickers targeting vulnerable individuals to move narcotics across international routes.
While recent arrests point to heightened enforcement, official police data from 2025 underscores the scale of the problem.
According to South African Police Service (SAPS) national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, tens of thousands of drug-related arrests were recorded in the first quarter of last year.
“The SAPS continues to intensify their efforts to clamp down on the illicit trade of drugs,” Mathe said.
Between January and March 2025, 23,306 suspects were arrested for drug possession, including traffickers intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport.
“Most of these drug traffickers are coming into the country from Brazil and are found to have swallowed these drugs. Through targeted intelligence operations, we have been able to intercept more than 20 drug traffickers in the last six months at this port of entry,” she said.
Mathe added that 3,471 suspects were arrested for dealing in drugs during the same period, including a major bust in Mpumalanga where a clandestine drug laboratory was dismantled.
“Drugs, high performance vehicles and machinery all to the tune of R27 million were confiscated in this operation including R3 million in cash that was found in the boot of a Mercedes Benz,” she said.
Police have also intensified efforts to destroy seized narcotics.
“In the past three years, it’s pleasing to note that R5.2 billion worth of drugs have been destroyed,” Mathe said, adding that drugs worth R340 million were destroyed in the Western Cape during a single operation in March 2025.
A global pipeline, and a local vulnerability
Anti-crime activists say the recent spike in arrests reflects deeper structural issues rather than isolated incidents.
“The rise in drug mule arrests at South Africa’s airports is deeply concerning, but not surprising,” an anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee told IOL.
“What we are seeing is the convergence of several factors: high unemployment, growing economic desperation, and the global expansion of organised crime networks that actively target vulnerable countries like ours as transit and recruitment hubs.”
South Africa’s geographic position and global connectivity make it a strategic link in trafficking routes between continents.
“In many of these cases, the individuals being arrested are not the masterminds but the lowest level in the chain, the couriers,”Abramjee said.
“They are often recruited through deception, coercion, or financial desperation. Young people, in particular, are extremely vulnerable.”
Despite increased arrests, concerns remain about whether enforcement is targeting the right level of the criminal chain.
“Arresting mules does little to dismantle the sophisticated networks behind them. The real organisers, the kingpins, are rarely the ones being brought to justice,” Abramjeesaid.
“In short, we cannot arrest our way out of this problem.”
Abramjee also warned of potential systemic weaknesses.
“Even a small number of compromised officials within airports, border control, or law enforcement can create gaps that syndicates exploit,” he said.
Airport security under scrutiny
Speaking to IOL, the Airports Company South Africa says aviation security operates within a strict regulatory framework and involves multiple agencies.
ACSA spokesperson Ofentse Dijoe said the entity plays a central role in ensuring airport security across its nine airports.
“Airports Company South Africa plays a critical role in aviation security ensuring the protection of passengers, crew, ground personnel, the public, aircraft, and airport facilities against acts of unlawful interference,” Dijoe said.
He explained that ACSA is responsible for implementing and maintaining security systems, including airport-specific security programmes and coordination structures.
“ACSA Security bears significant responsibility for the day-to-day implementation of security measures including developing and maintaining an approved Airport Security Program and coordinating security efforts among stakeholders.”
Dijoe emphasised that drug enforcement is a multi-agency responsibility.
“The law enforcement agency responsible for the seizure of narcotics and combating drug smuggling at airports is the South African Revenue Service Customs, working in conjunction with other agencies such as the South African Police Service.”
“When narcotics are discovered, SARS Customs hands over the matter to SAPS for further investigation and potential arrests.”
He added that the country’s aviation security framework relies on a multi-layered, inter-agency approach involving SAPS, SARS, the Border Management Authority and the Department of Home Affairs.
Inside the body: the deadly gamble of “body packing”
Beyond the criminal dimension, medical experts warn that swallowing drug packets, commonly known as “body packing”, carries life-threatening risks.
Medical doctor Yaseen Bismilla says individuals who ingest drug-filled packets may initially appear well but remain in constant danger.
“They are essentially carrying multiple high-risk foreign bodies filled with potentially lethal substances, which can become a medical emergency at any point,” he said.
The most serious risk is when a packet ruptures inside the body.
“If a packet breaks open inside the body, it releases a massive, concentrated dose of the drug directly into the bloodstream,” Bismilla said.
“This can lead to sudden cardiac arrest or respiratory failure. In many fatal cases, collapse can occur within minutes.”
Other complications include intestinal obstruction, internal perforation and severe infection.
“These symptoms are treated as potential poisoning until proven otherwise,” he said.
In severe cases, emergency intervention is required.
“If there are signs of toxicity, obstruction, or rupture, this becomes a medical emergency requiring ICU care or surgery.”
Fatal outcomes are not uncommon in such scenarios.
“Cause of death is most commonly linked to acute drug toxicity following packet rupture,” Bismilla said.
A battle far from over
The recent arrest of five South African women at OR Tambo International Airport underscores the persistence of trafficking syndicates and their ability to recruit new couriers.
Experts say a broader strategy is needed to address the crisis.
“We need to go after the networks, protect the vulnerable, and close the gaps that traffickers are exploiting,” Abramjee said.