Crime Intelligence shut down a major dagga manufacturing facility in Endicott, Springs.
The unit allegedly received a tip-off in the form of a video of a suspected illegal mining operation, only to be led to a stash of R100m worth of cannabis and processing equipment.
On the evening of October 2, when the police stormed the grounds of the lab, employees suspected to be undocumented foreign nationals fled the scene by jumping over a secured wall.
The lab is the size of four tennis courts and is divided into 12 well-ventilated rooms, each serving its purpose in the manufacturing process.
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The rooms were equipped with machinery for growing seedlings, right down to the drying process where the cannabis would then be packed in large refuse bags for collection.
Walking through the plant, the walls are covered with posters of clear instructions for the attention of the employees concerning their working hours and various processes.
Springs police spokesperson Sergeant Themba Tshabalala mentioned the dagga plants and end-products combined are worth an estimated street value of R100m.
“The lab is said to have been operational for over three years and the owner has provided the police with documents, claiming to be the registration certificate and required documentation for the lab and its operation. The Springs Magistrate’s Court has ordered an inquiry into the legitimacy of the supplied documents and we have launched an inquiry into the matter.”
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Tshabalala added that all the plants and dagga found would be destroyed, pending the decision of his immediate superiors.
The owner, who was at the scene, refused to speak to the media, saying the matter is now before the court.
“An enquiry has been launched and further investigations are still underway,” said Tshabalala.
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