Two men, aged between 24 and 39, were arrested following the discovery of another drug laboratory in Standerton, Mpumalanga, yesterday.

Lowvelder reports that the latest laboratory, its equipment and products are estimated to be worth R28m.

The arrested suspects were scheduled to appear in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court today, but had not yet appeared at the time of publishing.

The suspects were arrested in Flora Park, just four days after the arrest of six Mozambican nationals for similar activities.

The Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit monitored the origin of drugs in Standerton after numerous cases of possession of drugs were reported in the town.

“The task was successfully executed as two clandestine laboratories were raided within a week,” says provincial Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi.

He says the team comprised of the Hawks’ Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau, Standerton Crime Intelligence, the Standerton K9 Unit, the Standerton Local Criminal Record Centre, the Forensic Science Laboratory, and a private security company.

Nkosi says a pressing machine and 35 buckets filled with powder, ready to be pressed into tablets, were recovered.

“The recovered powder is valued at R26m, while the pressing machine is estimated to be worth R2m,” says Nkosi.

Seven vehicles were confiscated at the premises.

“Although the vehicles’ doors were unlocked, their boots were locked,” explains Nkosi.

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