Cape Verde Authorities Seize 44 Cocaine Capsules at Airport
Cape Verdean authorities have arrested a 45-year-old man at Nelson Mandela International Airport after discovering dozens of cocaine capsules hidden inside his digestive tract. The Judiciary Police (PJ) announced the seizure on Sunday, marking another significant bust in the country’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking.
A Dangerous Cargo
The suspect arrived in Praia on Saturday on a flight originating from Dakar, Senegal. Acting on intelligence, PJ officers intercepted the man shortly after he disembarked. A medical examination confirmed that he was carrying 44 capsules of cocaine internally.
According to a police statement, the seized narcotics weighed a total of 605 grams. Authorities estimate that the haul would have yielded approximately 6,052 individual doses if it had reached the local black market.
Seizures and Legal Action
In addition to the drugs, police seized 1,155 euros in cash, two mobile phones, and various travel and identification documents. The suspect, whose identity has not been released, appeared before a judge shortly after his arrest.
The court has ordered that the man remain in preventive detention as the investigation continues. Cape Verde, strategically located in the Atlantic, remains a key transit point for narcotics moving between South America, West Africa, and Europe, prompting increased vigilance at its international gateways.
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