Five men have appeared in the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court facing charges of manufacturing and dealing in illegal drugs following a massive R100m drug laboratory bust on the R563 in Oaktree.

The suspects appeared in court on October 12 after their arrest at a clandestine facility on October 8.

• Also read: Watch: Inside the R100m Mandrax lab raided near Oaktree

Hawks national spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said officers seized large quantities of Mandrax and ecstasy tablets, as well as manufacturing equipment, during the multi-disciplinary operation.

• Read the initial article here: Multi-million-rand drug lab uncovered at Krugersdorp plot

The search and seizure operation was led by the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau of the Hawks, working with the Crime Intelligence Head Office, Special Task Force, and West Rand K9 Unit.

All five suspects are South African nationals who were found on the premises during the search.