Police make R80m drug bust at illegal lab in Joburg

Gauteng police said they are making progress in dismantling a transnational crime syndicate after raiding a clandestine drug laboratory where drugs worth an estimated R80 million were discovered.

The drugs were discovered at a plot in Douglasdale, Johannesburg on Thursday.

Police said two illegal immigrants who were found at the premises were arrested. They are expected to appear in court soon facing charges including manufacturing of drugs, possession of unlicensed firearms, and possession of ammunition.

Suspicious activities

Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said officers also found two unlicensed firearms, ammunition of high calibre firearms, pellet guns, and replica firearms.

“The police had been observing and monitoring a plot where suspicious activities were taking place. On Thursday morning, the 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.”

See the machine that produces dozens of Mandrax tablets per second:

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

“More than 10 drug labs have been discovered by the police in Gauteng in the past 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.”

Limpopo drug lab

In July, the Limpopo Hawks and South African Police Service uncovered a drug lab worth R1 billion in Groblersdal.

Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale said the Hawks in Limpopo received information about suspicious activities taking place at a farm in Groblersdal.

Upon arrival, officers found four structures on the property. A search revealed large quantities of chemicals used in the manufacturing of illicit drugs, including acetone. Crystal meth with an estimated street value of R1 billion were recovered.

Police arrested four suspects, including the farm owner and two Mexican nationals.

ALSO READ: Hawks uncover R1 billion drug lab in Limpopo, farm owner and two Mexicans arrested