Police arrested 34 drug mules and confiscated drugs with an estimated street value of R7.5 million at Cape Town International Airport in 2011, Western Cape police said on Thursday.
Captain FC Van Wyk said the most common drugs found at the airport were cocaine, tik and khat.
“Khat is often brought in by Somalis who pack the plants in their suitcases,” he said.
“The plants often go unnoticed because the monitors normally check for explosive devices, not drugs.”
Van Wyk said the police had stepped up their campaign to halt drug trafficking during 2011.
The campaign included the use of narcotic dogs and specially trained police officers able to spot mules.
Drug trafficking presentations to airport staff, schools, NGOs and churches to prevent the influx of drugs into the province also formed part of the campaign, he said. – Sapa