South African man busted with GH₵1.4m worth of heroin at airport after arriving from Accra

Nii Ayitey Brown 10:51 - 20 September 2026

A 52-year-old South African man has been arrested at OR Tambo Airport after suspected heroin worth more than R2 million was found in his luggage following a flight from Accra, Ghana.

A 52-year-old South African man was arrested at OR Tambo Airport after suspected heroin worth more than R2 million was found in his luggage.
He had arrived on a flight from Accra, Ghana, when he was intercepted by police.
The arrest is the third suspected drug-mule case recorded at OR Tambo in three weeks.

A 52-year-old South African man has been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport after police found substances suspected to be heroin worth more than R2 million (GHS 1,416,200 aproximately) in his luggage.

Suspect

According to South African Police, the suspect had just arrived on a flight from Accra, Ghana, when he was intercepted by officers on Sunday, September 20, 2026, in an intelligence-led operation with support from the Border Management Authority (BMA).

Accra International Airport

“The South African Police Service (SAPS), with support from the Border Management Authority (BMA), has arrested another suspected drug mule at OR Tambo International Airport and seized drugs suspected to be heroin with an estimated street value of more than R2 million, following an intelligence-led operation,” the police said in a post on X (formerly Twitter)

#sapsHQ [OR TAMBO DRUG BUST: 52-YEAR-OLD ARRESTED, HEROIN WORTH MORE THAN R2 MILLION SEIZED]

The South African Police Service (SAPS), with support from the Border Management Authority (BMA), has arrested another suspected drug mule at OR Tambo International Airport and seized… pic.twitter.com/BPOjSUDODj
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 20, 2026

A search of the man's luggage allegedly uncovered bullet-shaped objects and blocks containing substances suspected to be heroin, according to police.

The latest arrest brings to three the number of suspected drug mules arrested at OR Tambo in the past three weeks, as South African authorities continue operations against drug trafficking through the airport.

The suspect’s name remains unconfirmed. He is expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court later this week to face drug-trafficking-related charges, while investigations continue into the suspected trafficking operation.

Police said the latest operation forms part of their efforts to identify and disrupt drug-trafficking networks operating through South Africa's ports of entry.

Authorities have stressed that the substances seized in the latest case are suspected heroin and that the investigation is still ongoing. The final nature of the substances and the suspect's liability will be determined through the relevant legal process.