Durban - A Joburg woman who was arrested at King Shaka International Airport on Monday and charged with trafficking cocaine and heroin worth R1.5 million will spend Christmas in jail.
Ntombizodwa Madikane, 53, was arrested after 1kg of cocaine and 1kg of heroin were found in two backpacks in her luggage.
Madikane appeared briefly in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and asked for a legal aid attorney.
She said she wanted to apply for bail, but the State was opposed to this because her address needed to be verified.
The case was adjourned to next week and Madikane was remanded to the Tongaat police cells.
Police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker said Madikane had arrived from Brazil via Dubai.
She had been profiled by police as a possible drug suspect and was searched on arrival.
Airports Company South Africa spokesman Colin Naidoo said Madikane’s arrest had been a joint operation involving police, customs and excise officials and airport security.
It comes after Eastern Cape resident Ibrahim Cook was arrested at the airport earlier this month with a shipment of 1.1kg of cocaine worth R300 000. The drug was hidden in roll-on deodorant and shampoo bottles.
Cook, who tried out for Idols, had also arrived in Durban from Brazil.
Two Nigerians were arrested at the airport, and police allege they were there to fetch the drugs.
The Mercury