23-year-old drug mule bound for Tokyo arrested at OR Tambo after X-rays reveal swallowed capsules

A 23-year-old South African woman was intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport after medical scans showed she had swallowed dozens of suspected drug-filled capsules, halting an apparent attempt to traffic narcotics to Tokyo.

How she was stopped

The South African Police Service (Saps) said the woman was intercepted at OR Tambo on Friday, 26 June 2026. According to Saps, the suspect was identified by Border Police following the receipt of operational information and was taken for medical examination, where X-rays confirmed the presence of suspected drug-filled capsules inside her body.

“The suspect was identified by Border Police following the receipt of operational information. She was taken for medical examination, where X-rays confirmed the presence of suspected drug-filled capsules inside her body.”

Flight plans and the seizure

Saps said preliminary investigations indicate the woman travelled on a domestic route before attempting to continue her journey on an international flight. She was intercepted upon her return to OR Tambo before boarding a direct flight to Tokyo.

At the time of her arrest the woman had released 28 suspected drug-filled capsules. The process is ongoing under strict medical supervision, and the recovered exhibits have been booked into the Saps exhibit management system for forensic analysis.

Next steps

Saps said the exact type of the suspected narcotics and their street value will be determined once forensic testing has been completed. The suspect remains in police custody and is expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on 29 June 2026 on charges relating to dealing in drugs.

Wider context

The report noted a recent run of arrests involving drug traffickers at OR Tambo. Earlier in June, Hawks investigators and Customs officials seized 90 kilograms of suspected cocaine in KwaZulu‑Natal, concealed in excavators offloaded from a vessel that arrived from Santos, Brazil, Saps said.

JoburgEtc will update this story when Saps releases the forensic results or further court information becomes available.