A Nigerian national wanted for a crime in Belgium was arrested outside Kyalami Estate in Midrand by the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol), police said on Friday.
The 36-year-old was arrested on Thursday outside the estate where he owned two houses, national police spokesman Colonel Vish Naidoo said.
He was wanted in Belgium for the possession of drugs with a street value of about R1 billion.
In September 2008, Belgium custom authorities found 12 shipments of cocaine, which collectively weighed over a ton, at the Zaventem airport.
The cocaine was concealed in chess sets and decorated ostrich eggs, said Naidoo.
The shipment was linked to the Nigerian.
Naidoo said the 36-year-old had already been convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison in Belgium.
It was not clear how he had escaped from Belgium.
He was expected to appear in the Midrand Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. - Sapa