Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has welcomed the arrest of four suspects who are expected to appear in the Groblersdal Magistrate’s court today on charges of the manufacturing, dealing and possession of illicit drugs.

Friday’s arrests were made following the discovery of a drug lab in Groblersdal by a joint team of Limpopo Hawks and Limpopo South African Police Service (SAPS).

The four suspects, including the farm owner and two Mexican nationals, were arrested on 19 July 2024 in an intelligence driven operation by members of the Limpopo Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) team assisted by the Limpopo Tactical Response Team at a farm in Groblersdal where the multimillion clandestine laboratory was discovered.

‘It is reported that the Hawks in Limpopo received information about suspicious activities taking place at the farm, which was then operationalised, and the multi-disciplinary team pounced. Four structures on the property were searched and large quantities of chemicals used in the manufacturing o
f illicit drugs including acetone as well as crystal meth with an estimated street value of R2 billion were recovered,’ said the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS) in a statement on Saturday.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation has since the beginning of this year uncovered 10 clandestine drug laboratories and made 34 arrests.

The Hawks have not ruled out the possibility of more suspects being arrested.

Source: South African Government News Agency