More than R200 million worth of cocaine has been seized at OR Tambo International Airport in two separate interceptions, as police intensify efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking networks using South Africa’s busiest airport.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the cocaine was intercepted on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, during operations involving a multidisciplinary team at the airport, including Customs officials.

The first consignment was discovered in two large travel suitcases at the airport terminal. Police found approximately 84 kilograms of suspected cocaine packed into blocks.

In a separate operation at the airport’s cargo section, four boxes containing approximately 250 kilograms of suspected cocaine were intercepted.

The drugs were packed into 220 blocks.

The combined estimated street value of the cocaine is more than R200 million.

No arrests have been made in connection with the latest seizure.

Investigators are now working to establish who was behind the consignments and identify those responsible for importing and distributing the drugs.

Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane praised the multidisciplinary team involved in the interceptions.

“The vigilance of our members at this strategic port of entry ought to be commended,” Dimpane said.

He said police continued to intercept large quantities of drugs and disrupt the activities of drug mules at the airport.

The latest seizure comes less than a month after police intercepted another major cocaine consignment at OR Tambo.

On 31 July, SAPS seized about 95 kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated R28 million at the airport. The cargo had arrived on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil.

The repeated seizures have highlighted the role of OR Tambo as a key target for international drug trafficking networks, with police and Customs officials increasingly relying on intelligence-led operations to intercept consignments before they enter the local market or are moved through South Africa to other destinations.

Foreign nationals have featured in several recent drug trafficking cases at the airport.

In April, SAPS arrested a 26-year-old Brazilian national at OR Tambo after finding cocaine worth an estimated R8.7 million concealed in the suspect’s luggage. The arrest followed an intelligence-driven operation after the suspect arrived from Brazil.

During the same period, police also arrested a Netherlands national at OR Tambo after finding 60 kilograms of khat concealed in luggage.

In another operation in April, SAPS arrested a 66-year-old Somali national who was reportedly travelling on a Netherlands passport. Police found 55 kilograms of khat in the suspect’s luggage. A separate bag containing about 45 kilograms of khat was also discovered abandoned at the airport.

The airport has also recorded drug trafficking arrests involving Nigerian and Brazilian nationals.

In June 2025, a 42-year-old Nigerian national was arrested after arriving from São Paulo. An X-ray examination confirmed that he had ingested more than 70 drug-filled bullets suspected to contain cocaine.

Five days later, a 30-year-old Brazilian national was intercepted after arriving from São Paulo. She indicated that she had ingested more than 100 cocaine-filled bullets, which was subsequently confirmed through an X-ray examination.

On the same day, police arrested a 57-year-old Ethiopian national at the airport’s check-in counter after finding more than 90 kilograms of khat in his luggage. SAPS said at the time that more than 23 drug traffickers had been intercepted at OR Tambo in the preceding six months.

In March 2025, a 55-year-old Nigerian national was arrested at OR Tambo after arriving from São Paulo. A medical examination confirmed that he had ingested suspected cocaine-filled bullets.

On the same day, police and Customs officials also intercepted a shipment of cocaine worth an estimated R6 million that was travelling from São Paulo to France via South Africa. The cocaine had been concealed in boxes disguised as hair products.

Brazilian nationals have repeatedly featured in the airport’s cocaine trafficking cases. In July 2025, a 25-year-old Brazilian national was arrested after arriving from São Paulo via Doha, with about 10 kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated R4.2 million concealed in luggage.

SAPS has previously reported that more than 50 drug mules had been intercepted and arrested at OR Tambo over a two-year period, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing law enforcement at the international gateway.

Dimpane said the latest seizure demonstrated the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies.

“These successes send a strong message that we will not allow South Africa to be used as a transit point or market for illicit drugs,” she said.

The investigation into the R200 million cocaine haul remains ongoing, with police working to identify and apprehend those behind the consignments.