Two Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) employees were among five people arrested at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) on allegations of drug trafficking.
Colonel Katlego Mogale, spokesperson for the Hawks, said the suspects were arrested on Wednesday on allegations of drug trafficking, contravention of the Civil Aviation Act, and contravention of the Customs and Excise Act.
Mogale said the arrests were related to a consignment of drugs that was seized in Australia recently. Mogale said the suspects will appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on Friday.
She said:
The Head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, commended the officers for the arrests and for preserving the reputation of ORTIA.
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"The Hawks are committed to countering drug trafficking and would like to send a strong message to corrupt officials in such companies not to get involved in facilitating such illicit activities," said Kadwa.
Comment from ACSA will be added if received.