Police uncover drug lab with street value of R80 million

Gauteng police pounced on a clandestine drug operation at a small holding in Douglas dale near Fourways. It is estimated that the operation is worth R80 mil as the machine that was found on the premises can press multiple Mandrax tablets per second. Two foreign nationals were arrested on the scene with two illegal fire arms and some pellet guns. This brings to date such discoveries to 23 in Gauteng alone with 10 of them with the same modus operandi. More arrests are imminent. Picture: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers.

Published Aug 22, 2024

Gauteng police, through their Organised Crime Unit and Police Emergency Service Flexi Team, discovered a drug lab at a plot in Douglasdale, south of Johannesburg, on Thursday, including drugs and processing machinery worth an estimated R80 million.

At the premises, police also found two unlicensed firearms, ammunition for large calibre firearms, pellet guns, and replica firearms.

Gauteng SAPS provincial spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that two illegal immigrants who were found at the premises were arrested.

He said had been observing and monitoring a plot where suspicious activities were taking place.

On Thursday morning, police executed a search warrant where they discovered that the premises were used to manufacture drugs. Chemicals used to manufacture drugs, machinery, and finished products were found at the premises. They were all confiscated and will be used as exhibits.

Gauteng provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni applauded the team that discovered the drug lab.

South Africa Johannesburg R80 mil drug bust 22 August 2024. Gauteng police pounced on a clandestine drug operation at a small holding in Douglas dale near Fourways. It is estimated that the operation is worth R80 mil as the machine that was found on the premises can press multiple Mandrax tablets per second. Two foreign nationals were arrested on the scene with two illegal fire arms and some pellet guns. This brings to date such discoveries to 23 in Gauteng alone with 10 of them with the same modus operandi. More arrests are imminent. Picture: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers.

“More than 10 drug labs have been discovered by the police in Gauteng in the last five months. This is evidence enough that we are making inroads in identifying and dismantling drug labs in our province. I am proud of my members who have been working with diligence to identify and close down the existing drug labs in our province,” said Mthombeni.

He said police are going to link up with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Asset and Forfeiture Unit (AFU) and the homeowner.

Earlier this year, Gauteng police uncovered drug labs in Brackenhurst in Alberton and Midrand, in the north of Johannesburg. Mthombeni said they had a similar method of operation.

“We are, of course, looking at an individual whom we believe will be tied up in terms of the investigation related to the clandestine laboratory,” Mthombeni said.

Police said the arrested suspects will appear before the local magistrate’s court in due course, facing charges that include manufacturing of drugs, possession of unlicensed firearms, and possession of ammunition.

The Star

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