Man arrested with 5.1kg cocaine hidden in shirts at Cape Town Airport
Seized items include 5.1 kg of suspected cocaine and 183 bushes of khat, confiscated during coordinated operations at Cape Town International Airport.
Image: Supplied
A 35-year-old man who arrived at Cape Town International Airport from Doha was intercepted carrying 5.1 kg of a substance suspected to be cocaine.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) said the substance suspected to be cocaine was found concealed in his shirts in his check-in luggage.
The drugs has an estimated street value of R2.2million.
Hawks spokesperson, Zinzi Hani said a 52-year-old man, allegedly responsible for collecting the drug mule, was also arrested.
Both men are set to make their first appearance at the Bellville Magistrates Court on October 10, 2025.
In a separate operation on the same day, another man, aged 69, was intercepted with 183 bushes of khat in his suitcase, valued at over R10,000. He is suspected of exporting drugs from South Africa to the United Arab Emirates.
The Hawks highlighted the role of multiple agencies in these arrests, including the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (Bellville), Border Police Cape Town International Airport Anti-Smuggling Team, Crime Intelligence Gauteng, SARS Customs Cape Town International Airport, and the Border Management Authority.
“The coordinated effort shows the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking and smuggling in South Africa,” the Hani said.
The 69-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrates Court on October 10, 2025.
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