Gauteng police, through their Organised Crime Unit and Police Emergency Service Flexi Team, discovered a drug lab at a plot in Douglasdale, south of Johannesburg, on Thursday, including drugs and processing machinery worth an estimated R80 million.
At the premises, police also found two unlicensed firearms, ammunition for large calibre firearms, pellet guns, and replica firearms.
Gauteng SAPS provincial spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that two illegal immigrants who were found at the premises were arrested.
He said had been observing and monitoring a plot where suspicious activities were taking place.
On Thursday morning, police executed a search warrant where they discovered that the premises were used to manufacture drugs. Chemicals used to manufacture drugs, machinery, and finished products were found at the premises. They were all confiscated and will be used as exhibits.
Gauteng provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni applauded the team that discovered the drug lab.
“More than 10 drug labs have been discovered by the police in Gauteng in the last five months. This is evidence enough that we are making inroads in identifying and dismantling drug labs in our province. I am proud of my members who have been working with diligence to identify and close down the existing drug labs in our province,” said Mthombeni.
He said police are going to link up with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Asset and Forfeiture Unit (AFU) and the homeowner.
Earlier this year, Gauteng police uncovered drug labs in Brackenhurst in Alberton and Midrand, in the north of Johannesburg. Mthombeni said they had a similar method of operation.
“We are, of course, looking at an individual whom we believe will be tied up in terms of the investigation related to the clandestine laboratory,” Mthombeni said.
Police said the arrested suspects will appear before the local magistrate’s court in due course, facing charges that include manufacturing of drugs, possession of unlicensed firearms, and possession of ammunition.
The Star