---
title: "LISTEN: South Africa's Expanding Role in the Global Drug Trade"
description: "A sensational R2-billion drug bust in Limpopo has resulted in five suspects, some of them Mexican citizens, being arrested. Three months ago, cocaine shipped from Colombia was intercepted in KwaZulu-Natal, and cases in Brazil and Australia have also highlighted drug-smuggling links to SA."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "PODCAST"
author: "Caryn Dolley"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/caryn-dolley/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-12-02-listen-south-africas-expanding-role-in-the-global-drug-trade/"
published: "2024-12-02T21:17:06"
updated: "2024-12-02T22:07:41"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 24
---

# LISTEN: South Africa's Expanding Role in the Global Drug Trade

> A sensational R2-billion drug bust in Limpopo has resulted in five suspects, some of them Mexican citizens, being arrested. Three months ago, cocaine shipped from Colombia was intercepted in KwaZulu-Natal, and cases in Brazil and Australia have also highlighted drug-smuggling links to SA.

By Caryn Dolley · Published 2 December 2024, 23:17 SAST · Updated 3 December 2024, 00:07 SAST

## Key points
- As South Africa steps into the limelight of the global drug trade, it seems the only thing expanding faster than the market is the country's knack for turning a blind eye—tune in to unravel the high-stakes drama.
- South Africa's role in the global drug trade is expanding, raising concerns over crime and public health.
- The latest podcast explores the complexities and implications of this burgeoning market.
- Caryn Dolley leads the narrative, shedding light on the socio-economic factors driving the trade.
- Produced by Bernard Kotze and Emilie Gambade, the podcast aims to inform and engage listeners on this pressing issue.

## Content

[Media](https://player.simplecast.com/5c97ff65-f2cb-4ece-95d8-fdfd987b4a20?dark=true&color=AA2346)

![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Apple-Podcasts-1-720x213.png)![Listen On Spotify](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Listen-720x213.png)![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Youtube-Music-720x213.png)

![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/WhatsAppSHARE.png)

**Written & Narrated** by Caryn Dolley

**Produced**by Bernard Kotze & Emilie Gambade

**Edited**by Malibongwe Tyilo

**Original Music & Design**by Bernard Kotze

![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Banner-Ad-1000x250-1.gif)

![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Banner-Ad-1000x250-2.gif)