The drug busts took place in two separate cargo warehouses.
Image: SAPS
The past week saw drugs to the value of R2.8 million being confiscated at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), officers managed to intercept R2.2 million worth of crystal meth at a cargo warehouse at the airport on March 4.
It is believed the meth was destined for the Philippines.
The following day, eight large boxes containing marijuana worth R672,000 were found at another cargo warehouse at the airport. This stash was inbound, having been transported from Morocco for distribution in South Africa.
OR Tambo raids net R2.8 million in narcotics.
Image: SAPS
SAPS Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the drugs from both raids had been seized by police officers, but investigations were still underway to track down the traffickers involved.
This is believed to be the first major drug bust at OR Tambo this year.
In July 2025, a 25-year-old alleged drug trafficker was arrested at OR Tambo after arriving on a flight from Brazil.
During a search of her luggage, authorities discovered approximately 10kg of cocaine, valued at around R4.2 million. She was also taken for a medical examination to determine if she had swallowed cocaine-filled “bullets”.
A month earlier, a 39-year-old Brazilian man was also arrested at OR Tambo after landing from São Paulo. Cocaine worth R1.4 million was found wrapped around his thighs while he was in transit to Benin, West Africa.
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