Four in the dock for drug manufacture

The Hawks, who are based in Parktown, have clamped down on four suspects for alleged drug manufacture.

The four men, aged 38, 31, 29 and 26, will make a formal bail application when they appear in the Benoni Magistrates’ Court again. They were remanded in custody after a brief appearance in the same court.

The quartet was arrested when the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime, South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau and Vaal Rand K9 raided a plot on Thomas Road in Pomona, Kempton Park. Police discovered a clandestine laboratory where the suspects allegedly manufactured the drug known as crystal meth. The value of the lab is estimated at R3 million.

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“The four suspects were [allegedly] linked to the underground lab and were subsequently arrested. Police seized drugs, chemicals and drug manufacturing equipment,” said Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu, spokesperson for the Hawks.

She added that another suspect, who is believed to be the kingpin of this underground operation, has been instructed to hand himself over to the police.

The suspects are facing charges of dealing in drugs and manufacturing drugs.