Alleged drug mule arrested in Argentina on route to South Africa.
Pretoria: An intelligence driven operation by members of the South African Police Service,
Crime Intelligence, attached to Buenos Aries airport made initiatives that led to an arrest of a 24-year-old Philippines drug mule. The suspect was found in possession of 3.05kg cocaine pressed in a false suitcase compartment.
The suspect was apprehended minutes before she could board on South African Airways flight (SA-227) to Johannesburg, scheduled to depart at 17:00 on 03rd April 2011. The arrest was carried out during Operation Proteus.
Operation Proteus is an Interpol/Crime Intelligence project addressing Drug trafficking in the South American region, with the focus of South America- South Africa - Nairobi (Kenya) route as it is commonly used by drug mule.
Since the beginning of this year, approximately thirty (30) drug suspects were stopped and arrested in South America while trying to currier drugs to South Africa. A South African citizen also died in Brazil early this year after swallowing an overdose of cocaine.
National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Bheki Cele, applauded both authorities for their cooperation. "The fight against Cross boarder crime is not only a priority for the South African police but for the South African Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) and the International Criminal Police Organisation(ICPO-Interpol)", he said.
He further commended the South African Police Interpol and detectives for the manner in which they are maintaining relations with their international counterparts to eradicate cross border crimes.
Statement issued by Colonel Tummi Shai, SAPS media centre, April 6 2011
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