The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit based in Secunda arrested several people during a raid on a warehouse in Standerton yesterday.

Ridge Times reports the warehouse in Standerton’s industrial area contained a number of chemicals used in the manufacturing of drugs.

The investigation led police to the supposed employer of the people found in the warehouse.

The Hawks, with officers from Crime Intelligence and the K9 unit, then advanced to a nearby farm, where more chemicals and machinery believed to be used in the manufacturing of drugs were found.

Another two suspects were arrested on the farm.

According to the spokesperson for the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, the value of the recovered substances and machinery is estimated at R20m.

The exact figure will be available after proper analysis.

A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory, Chemistry Section, was on the scene for further investigation.

Six suspects, aged between 19 and 60 years, are believed to be Mozambican nationals.

A BMW X5 that belongs to one of the suspects was also seized for further investigation.

The Mpumalanga Hawks head, Major General Nico Gerber, applauded members for a job well done.

“There have been a number of drug-related cases reported in Standerton. Hawks members were tasked to monitor and expand our network to focus on drug-related cases. Members responded, and this seizure is the result of commitment and hard work. The collaboration between different stakeholders led to the success,” said the general.

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