Major cocaine bust at OR Tambo Airport: R200 million seized by SAPS

South African law enforcement authorities, including the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Customs officials, have seized an estimated R200 million worth of cocaine at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. The operation, led by SAPS members, intercepted two separate consignments of cocaine. During the first incident, two large travel suitcases were found containing blocks of suspected cocaine weighing around 84 kilograms.

In a separate interception at the cargo section, four boxes holding approximately 250 kilograms of suspected cocaine were seized, packed into 220 blocks. The combined estimated street value of the seized cocaine is more than R200 million. No arrests have been made at this stage, and investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible for the importation and distribution of the drugs.

Acting national police commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane praised the vigilance of the multidisciplinary team for disrupting drug trafficking at the country's major international entry points, stating that no South African airport will be used as a transit point or market for illicit drugs. Dimpane emphasized that law enforcement will continue working with partners to detect, intercept, and dismantle drug trafficking networks.