Pretoria: Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is this afternoon expected to visit two drug laboratories and a warehouse which were discovered and shut down by the Hawks in Mpumalanga this week, said the Ministry of Police. In a statement, the Ministry said the Minister will be accompanied by the National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola, together with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation National Head, (Dr./Adv) Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya.
According to South African Government News Agency, the discovery was made in Standerton. Equipment and substances with an estimated value of R48 million and seven vehicles have been seized for further investigation. Nine suspects have been arrested as a result of the operation.
On Wednesday, the Hawks announced that two suspects would appear in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court following the arrest of six Mozambican nationals. The Hawks’ Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime investigation had been monitoring the origin of drugs in Standerton after numerous cases of drug possession were reported.
The operation successfully clamped down on two clandestine laboratories within a week. Additionally, authorities recovered a pressing machine and 35 buckets filled with powder ready to be pressed into tablets.