BLOEMFONTEIN. – A 36-year-old woman has been arrested at Bram Fischer International Airport after 232 stones suspected to be crack cocaine were allegedly found stuffed inside a hairdresser doll head, police say.
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The seizure has an estimated street value of R300 000, according to the South African Police Service.
How the Bram Fischer International Airport drug arrest unfolded
Visible Policing Unit members responsible for crime prevention at the airport were alerted by an ACSA supervisor to suspected material detected by a scanning machine on Saturday, 22 August 2026, at about 11:26.
The members responded and on arrival were pointed to a hairdresser doll head belonging to the woman, who was about to depart on a flight to Johannesburg. Local Criminal Record Centre experts were summoned to process the scene.
The doll head was opened and the material stuffed inside it with foam was removed. The 232 stones, suspected to be rock drug or crack cocaine, were counted in the presence of the suspect.
Cash found during body search
Police conducted a further body search and found R93 220 in cash in the suspect’s possession.
The 36-year-old was immediately placed under arrest.
Charges and next court appearance
A case docket of possession of drugs, with an additional charge of money laundering, was opened at Navalsig Police Station. The docket will be investigated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court soon. She has not been named and the allegations against her have not been tested in court.
* Press release.
