Gauteng police dismantle Alberton drug lab

An underground drug lab worth millions in Alberton, Ekurhuleni, was dismantled by police on Friday.

The police also arrested eight suspects.

On May 28, Johannesburg K9 Unit members received information regarding a suspected drug laboratory operating in Alberton. Over the following days, police observed the premises and confirmed illegal activity.

The members approached the National Counter Narcotics for assistance and applied to Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court for a search warrant, which was granted.

On Friday at 10:00, a team from the Johannesburg K9 and National Counter Narcotics units executed the search warrant at the premises.

The police found massive quantities of precursor chemicals for manufacturing drugs, drug manufacturing equipment and drugs.

The team withdrew from the house and called in Forensic Crime Scene Management, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority.

The arrested suspects face possible charges of dealing in drugs and contravening the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, Act 140 of 1992.

Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni thanked the team for their due diligence, patience and execution of the search warrant.

“This discovery and subsequent arrest of these alleged drug dealers and traffickers will have a positive impact on the streets of Gauteng.

“These suspects’ criminal dealings have been disrupted and we have definitely hit them hard in the pockets,” says Mthombeni. – SAnews.gov.za