Two Mexican nationals are among five men arrested after a suspected crystal meth laboratory worth about R600 million was raided on a farm in Musina, Limpopo.
The operation was conducted late on Thursday by US and South African law enforcement agencies. Drugs, laboratory equipment and an undisclosed amount of cash were seized.
R600 Million Crystal Meth Lab Raided In Musina
The operation involved the US Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security, the Hawks, SAPS, the South African Narcotics Bureau, Crime Intelligence and the Special Task Force.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Avele Fumba said the raid followed a two-month investigation into suspected drug manufacturing at the farm. The five suspects, aged between 20 and 47, include two Mexicans, two Zimbabweans and one Malawian.
Fumba said the laboratory was allegedly established for industrial-scale production. It is the third clandestine drug laboratory to be shut down in Limpopo. Officers continued processing the scene on Friday morning.
Hawks Target Alleged Drug Manufacturing Enterprise
Limpopo Hawks head Major General Gopz Govender said the operation was aimed at disrupting the broader criminal enterprise behind the suspected drug production. He said investigators would continue tracing the money and alleged networks linked to the operation.
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“This R600 million seizure is not merely a quantity of drugs taken off the streets. It represents the disruption of an entire criminal enterprise,” Govender said.
“We will follow the money, the networks and every person connected to this operation.”
Crystal Meth Suspects Face Musina Court
Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers said law enforcement would continue targeting those involved in manufacturing and distributing illicit substances.
The suspected laboratory was located near Musina, which borders Zimbabwe and is home to the Beitbridge border post. The five suspects are due to appear in the Musina Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
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“Those who manufacture and distribute these dangerous substances must know that law enforcement is closing in on them,” Scheepers said.
The suspects face charges of manufacturing and possessing illicit drugs, while police said additional charges could follow.
