Five South African Women Arrested at OR Tambo Airport With Over R5 Million Concealed Drugs Headed for China
South African police, in collaboration with Airports Company South Africa, arrested five female nationals at OR Tambo International Airport on 28 March 2026 after discovering drugs valued at more than R5 million hidden in their sneakers, underwear and private parts. The suspects, believed to be drug mules, were heading to China via Dubai and are due to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on 31 March facing drug trafficking charges, with investigations continuing to trace syndicate kingpins.
Delicious Mathuthu 
Johannesburg - South African authorities have intercepted an alleged drug trafficking attempt at the country’s busiest international gateway, arresting five South African women at OR Tambo International Airport with narcotics worth more than R5 million concealed on their bodies.
The South African Police Service (SAPS), working closely with Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), made the arrests on Saturday, 28 March 2026, during what officials described as part of ongoing intelligence-driven operations at the airport.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Van Wyk, confirmed the details, stating that a search of the suspects revealed drugs hidden inside their sneakers, underwear and private parts.
“Upon searching them, we were able to find drugs concealed on their bodies. In their sneakers, in underwear and also their private parts,” Lieutenant Colonel Van Wyk said.
Preliminary reports indicate the five women were preparing to board a flight en route to China via Dubai when they were stopped.
The incident is part of persistent challenges of drug mules using Johannesburg’s main airport as a departure point for international smuggling routes.
South Africa has long served as both a transit and source country for various narcotics, with OR Tambo frequently featuring in such incidents involving concealment methods ranging from swallowed pellets to body strapping.
The five suspects, all South African nationals, are expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court today, Tuesday, 31 March 2026, on charges related to drug trafficking.
“Investigations remain ongoing,” the SAPS said in a media statement, adding that authorities aim to trace and arrest the kingpins behind the syndicate.
Lieutenant Colonel Van Wyk added that the bust forms part of broader efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking networks operating through South African ports of entry.
South Africa authorities have repeatedly warned that sophisticated concealment tactics and the involvement of vulnerable individuals as mules continue to fuel transnational organised crime.
Police urged the public to report suspicious travel-related activities and reinforced that those facilitating or participating in such schemes face severe penalties under South African law.
