Police in South Africa have arrested four people, including two Mexican nationals, after discovering a multi-million dollar drug manufacturing laboratory on a farm in the country’s north. CNN informed of.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, raided the property in Groblersdal following reports of suspicious activity, according to a SAPS statement.
Searching four buildings on the farm, police found large quantities of chemicals used in the production of illicit drugs, such as acetone and crystal meth, with an estimated market value of 2 billion South African rand ($109.4 million).
The four suspects arrested on Friday include the farm owner and two Mexican nationals. Police said the Hawks were not ruling out the possibility of further arrests.
#sapsHAWKS The Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu, MP welcomed the outstanding arrests made by the joint team of the Limpopo Hawks and Limpopo SAPS following the discovery of a clandestine drug lab worth 2 billion Rand in Groblersdal on 19 July 2024. #drugsoffthestreets ml… pic.twitter.com/9ErFydp0Th
— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) July 20, 2024
“What makes this different from other (seizure) incidents is that it involves Mexican citizens,” Hawks national spokesman Katlego Mogale told Reuters. “This means our job is now much more difficult.”
It is unclear whether the seized drugs were meant for the South African market or for export.
The Mexican Foreign Ministry said its embassy in South Africa had not received the required consular notification and was in contact with local authorities to gather details about the case and the alleged involvement of Mexicans.
According to police, the suspects are due to appear in the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where they will be charged with manufacturing, dealing and possession of illicit drugs.
In January, police said around 131 drug labs had been shut down across the country since 2019. More than 19,000 people were arrested for drug possession during the festive season last year.
The statement said so far this year, the Hawks have detected 10 clandestine drug laboratories and arrested 34 people as part of its ongoing war against drugs in the country.