UPDATE: 22 August – 4.15pm
The seven suspects that appeared in Ermelo Magistrate Court on 22 August, facing charges of manufacturing and dealing in drugs, case was postponed to 2 September.
They remanded into custody.
UPDATE: 22 August – 8.28am
A 61-year-old woman was arrested on 21 August in Diepkloof, Soweto, after 62 bags of acidic substance, believed to be used for the manufacturing of drugs, were found.
This followed a Hawks driven operation, where members simultaneously raided a laboratory in Breyten and a Mandrax chemical storage facility in Diepkloof.
She subsequently appeared in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on 21 August and the case was remanded to 23 August pending further investigation, while she remains in custody.
The seven suspects are expected to appear, today in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court.
The Highvelder will update readers as more information is available.
UPDATE: 21 August – 4.25pm
Capt Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, Mpumalanga Hawks spokesman, confirmed to the Highvelder that the drug lab in Breyten is the biggest uncovered in South Africa.
A task team was send to the farm, about seven kilometer outside Breyten, at 7am on 21 August.
According to Capt Sekgotodi, they suspect the property allegedly belongs to the mother of one of the suspects.
The Highvelder could however, not confirm this.
21 August – 14.15pm
The Mpumalanga Hawks pounced on a drug lab on a farm between Breyten and Carolina and arrested eight suspects on 21 August.
The suspects were allegedly operating the drug laboratory.
Spokesman for the Hawks, Capt Dineo Sekgotodi said: “About R210m worth of Mandrax was seized as well as equipment used to manufacture the drug.”
ALSO SEE: GALLERY – Inside drug laboratory between Breyten and Carolina
One of the suspects will appear in court in Gauteng today, 21 August and the other seven in Ermelo tomorrow.
The Highvelder’s journalists are currently on the scene, more information will follow soon.
