Police Seize Drugs Worth R2.8 Million at OR Tambo

Police have seized drugs worth an estimated R2.8 million at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg this week during routine operations at cargo warehouses.

The first discovery occurred on Wednesday when officers found crystal meth, also known as 'tik,' worth about R2.2 million destined for the Philippines from South Africa. The second drug bust was made on Thursday, where eight large boxes containing dagga worth R672,000 were discovered. The dagga was shipped from Morocco and was destined for South Africa.

According to SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, investigations are underway to identify those responsible for the trafficking of these drugs.

The airport has a history of major drug seizures. In July 2025, a Brazilian national was arrested with 10kg of cocaine worth over R4 million. Later that year, two South African nationals were arrested with cocaine valued at R7.5 million. In 2017, customs officials reported the largest cocaine seizure ever by confiscating 271kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of R78m.

In March 2009, SAPS seized drugs valued at about R170 million from an Emirates flight arriving from Pakistan. The consignment consisted of 565kg of ephedrine hidden in cargo bags in the plane’s hold.