What seemed to be the perfect family home in a quiet street in Rant-en-Dal turned out to have a backyard drug factory.
The Krugersdorp Cluster Drug Task Team made this discovery this morning 21 August while they were investigating another case of which the details can not be disclosed yet.
When the members from the Drug Task Team arrived at the rented property on Dove Street the suspected drug manufacturer was already on his way out in his vehicle and managed to flee. The police is looking for the suspect who allegedly is Nigerian.
Members of the SAPS Forensics Unit from Pretoria who were dispatched to remove the goods, do the necessary testing and determine the street value of the drugs confirmed that the products that were found in a small outside room on the premises were ingredients for manufacturing Cat. These included caustic soda, chlorine and other household products as well as lactulose crystals.
Caustic soda is used as a chemical base to manufacture pulp and paper, textiles, soaps, detergents and as a drain cleaner.
Brigadier Dilapkimar Baijnath, Station Commander of the Krugersdorp Police praised the members of the Drug Task Team who made the discovery.
“This is a clear message that the police is working hand in hand with the community to rid Krugersdorp of illegal substances.”
He says such operations will be ongoing and encourages the community to continue coming forward with information that will lead to more arrests.
Brigadier Baijnath urges people who rent out property to do regular checks to make sure that their property is not being used for illegal purposes.
Captain Appel Ernst, a police spokesperson says that almost 400 arrests for different drug-related offences have been made since the Drug Task Team was established in June this year as instructed by Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane.
“The Krugersdorp Cluster Drug Task Team operates in the Magaliesburg, Muldersdrift, Hekpoort, Kagiso and Krugersdorp areas.”
This is the second drug lab members of the Krugersdorp Drug Task Team had found this month.
During the previous bust in Mindalore a man in his early 30s was arrested for manufacturing and being in possession of illegal substances.
The community is urged to declare war on drugs by sending anonymous tip-offs to the Drug Crime Line on 083 399 4544.
