NATIONAL NEWS - Five suspects have been arrested following the discovery of an alleged multimillion-rand crystal methamphetamine manufacturing operation on a farm in Musina, Limpopo.
During the operation on Thursday, authorities seized drugs and laboratory equipment with an estimated street value of R600 million, along with an undisclosed amount of cash.
The suspects, aged between 20 and 47, include two Mexican nationals, two Zimbabwean nationals and one Malawian national.
Third clandestine drug laboratory shut down in Limpopo
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the operation is the third clandestine drug laboratory to be shut down in Limpopo.
The discovery followed a two-month intensive investigation into suspected drug manufacturing activities at the farm.
Police said the investigation uncovered an alleged sophisticated, industrial-scale operation believed to have been established to manufacture dangerous illicit substances for distribution.
Hawks lead intelligence-driven operation
The operation was led by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), working with SAPS, the South African Narcotics Bureau Head Office, Crime Intelligence Head Office, Hawks Limpopo, the Special Task Force, Drug Enforcement Agency and Homeland Security.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General Advocate Gopz Govender, welcomed the arrests and said the seizure had disrupted an alleged criminal enterprise.
“We have struck at the machinery behind the drug trade. This R600 million seizure is not merely a quantity of drugs taken off the streets; it represents the disruption of an entire criminal enterprise,” said Govender.
Suspects to appear in court
SAPS Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers said the operation demonstrated law enforcement’s commitment to tackling the illicit drug trade.
“We will not allow our communities to become markets for criminal syndicates,” said Scheepers.
The five suspects are expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges relating to the alleged manufacture and possession of illicit drugs.
Additional charges may be added as the investigation continues.
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