Hawks intercept drug mules at Cape Town International Airport, seizing over R2m in narcotics

The Hawks have made two significant busts at Cape Town International Airport, where drug mules hid more than R2  million worth narcotics inside a suitcase and shirt.

Zinzi Hani, spokesperson for the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (The Hawks) said during an integrated multi-disciplinary operation on October 8, one drug mule and a courier were arrested at the airport.

She said members from the Hawks' South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau team, Bellville, Border Police Cape Town International Airport Anti-Smuggling Team, Crime Intelligence Gauteng, SARS Customs Cape Town International Airport and Border Management Authority acted on intelligence and intercepted a man aged, 35, as he arrived from Doha.

“The man was carrying  5.1 kg of a substance suspected to be cocaine in his check-in luggage concealed in his shirts worth over R2.2 million, Hani explained.

“Further surveillance was conducted, and the contact person, a courier, aged, 52, collecting the mule, was also identified and arrested.

“Both the accused will make their first appearance at Bellville Magistrates court on October 10.”

Less than 24 hours later, on the same day, another suspect, was arrested, with R10 000 of drugs inside his suitcase.

“An integrated multi-disciplinary operation on 8 October 2025 arrested yet another suspected drug mule at the Cape Town International Airport who was found with 183 bushes of khat worth over R10 000 in his suitcase,” Hani detailed.

Hani added that members from their Narcotics Enforcement Bureau team, Bellville, Border Police Cape Town International Airport Anti-Smuggling Team, Crime Intelligence Gauteng, SARS Customs Cape Town International Airport and Border Management Authority acted on intelligence and intercepted a man aged, 69, who is believed to be exporting drugs out of South Africa to the United Arab Emirates.

During a third and separate bust, the Bellville South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau team (SANEB )found drugs worth more than R1 million on the N2 near Strand on October 8 2024 .

The suspect was arrested at the scene and is expected to appear at the Strand Magistrates' Court on Friday.

He was arrested following a warrant which had been issued in October 2024, relating to his co-accused

During that arrest in 2024, the Hawks was responding to information that a bakkie with a trailer was transporting drugs from Gauteng to Cape Town.

The vehicle was spotted on the N2 near Strand heading towards Cape Town. The vehicle was stopped and searched by the members. On close inspection, blocks of compressed cannabis were found concealed in false compartments in the trailer. 

The driver, who is the co-accused, Walter Maseko, 26 was arrested and is expected back in court in November.

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