OR Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka airports flagged for organised-crime risks

OR Tambo, Cape Town, and King Shaka International Airports have been identified as prime targets for criminal syndicates, with 117 narcotics-smuggling cases reported between 2023/2024 and 2025/2026. South African police recently intercepted cocaine shipments valued at over R200 million at OR Tambo Airport. Investigations are ongoing into the use of South Africa as a hub for processing and transshipping drugs, including cocaine and heroin.