Meyerton: A 56-year-old suspect was arrested on Friday, 20 June 2025, for the cultivation and possession of drugs. The arrest was the result of collaborative efforts by law enforcement agencies targeting illegal drug operations in Meyerton.
According to South African Police Service, the Johannesburg-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) team acted on information provided by the Crime Intelligence Counter Narcotics division at Head Office. The intelligence pointed to a premises on Strydom Road, Buycilia, Meyerton, which was allegedly being used as a drug laboratory.
On Friday, 20 June 2025, a comprehensive joint operation was executed. The operation involved the Johannesburg SOCI, West Rand K9 Unit, West Rand Tactical Response Team (TRT), Sedibeng TRT, Head Office Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Vereeniging Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), and the Vereeniging Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU).
Armed with a search warrant, the team conducted a thorough search of the main house and three outbuildings on the premises. In one of the outbuildings, they discovered a fully operational hydroponic cultivation laboratory containing both mature and young dagga plants.
Further investigation on the premises led to the discovery of a VW Polo Classic. The vehicle exhibited allegedly different registration numbers, a suspicious licence disc, and a duplicate VIN number. It was subsequently handed over to the VCIU for further investigation.
The operation resulted in the seizure of dagga plants, cultivation equipment, and related materials, with an estimated value of R500 000. The suspect is scheduled to appear before the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court on 23 June 2025.