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Some Cape Town doctors had a rather unusual day on Tuesday – they were in charge of the very slow process of monitoring two alleged drug mules as they “processed” at least 145 capsules containing drugs.

The men, a South African and a Congolese, were arrested at Cape Town International Airport as they arrived from Brazil, via Qatar, on Monday evening. Border police nabbed the two, aged 25 and 35, in an operation conducted with the help of Customs Border Control.

Police spokesman November Filander said the men’s luggage was searched during a routine check and a photo frame, containing 200g of cocaine worth approximately R57 500, was confiscated.

Filander said the pair also confessed to “transporting drugs in their systems”.

“They were taken to hospital for X-rays where they were positively tested for swallowing ‘bullets’ containing drugs. They are still in hospital to allow doctors to remove the drugs,” Filander said.

Police said doctors would give the men pills to help them pass the capsules.

The capsules are cream and the length of a bank card.

Police also kept a close eye on proceedings, monitoring the slow progress.

By midday one man had passed at least 56 capsules while the other had yet to pass anything. Later the South African had passed a total of 69 capsules while his accomplice had passed 76.

Filander said the men would appear in court as soon as all the drugs had left their systems. “As soon as doctors have released all the evidence, they will appear the next day,” Filander said. - Cape Times

zara.nicholson@inl.co.za