Police dismantle R100m Tshwane drug lab
Police found various chemicals, drug manufacturing equipment and a substantial quantity of methamphetamine when raiding a drug lab.
A major drug bust unfolded yesterday in Rietfontein outside Erasmia in Tshwane as police apprehended a 39-year-old Mexican illegal immigrant and dismantled a R100m drug lab.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda van Wyk says a multidisciplinary team pounced on the property with a search-and-seizure warrant after extensive surveillance.
“An intelligence-driven operation led police to uncover and dismantle this drug laboratory with an estimated value of R100m and arrested a 39-year-old Mexican.”
Surveillance took place for four days, during which movement was noticed on the premises.
Van Wyk says a multidisciplinary team comprising of the National and Provincial Organised Crime Investigations (narcotics units), National Counter Narcotics, Diepsloot and Westrand Tactical Response Teams and West Rand K9 unit, obtained a search-and-seizure warrant.
She says the raid resulted in the confiscation of various chemicals, drug manufacturing equipment and a substantial quantity of methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth or Tik.
“The team additionally seized cash believed to be proceeds from the illicit drug trade,” Van Wyk says.
She adds that the suspect is expected to appear in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on charges of dealing in and manufacturing drugs, as well as for contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.
Police received information of a narcotics manufacturing plant in the Rietfontein area, outside Erasmia, Pretoria.
Surveillance was kept for four days.
During surveillance, movement was noticed on the premises was noticed.
A disruptive operation started where the… pic.twitter.com/wUvB6KJjKK
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) November 27, 2024
#sapsHQ An intelligence driven operation led police to uncover a drug laboratory with an estimated value of R100 million in Rietfontein, Gauteng on Wednesday, 27 November 2024 and arrested a 39-year-old Mexican national.
Following extensive surveillance conducted on the… pic.twitter.com/345CIMDICN
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) November 27, 2024
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