Police dismantle R100m drug lab in Rietfontein
During the police raid, various chemicals, drug manufacturing equipment and a substantial quantity of methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth or Tik were confiscated.
Police have arrested a 39-year-old illegal Mexican on November 27 following the discovery of a drug laboratory at the estimated value of R100-million at Rietfontein outside Erasmia in Tshwane.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda van Wyk said 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 R100-million and arrested a 39-year-old Mexican.”
Surveillance was kept for four days during which movement was noticed on the premises.
#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
Van Wyk said a multidisciplinary team comprising of the National and Provincial Organised Crime Investigations (Narcotics units), National Counter Narcotics, Diepsloot and Westrand Tactical Response Teams (TRT) and West Rand K9 unit, obtained a search-and-seizure warrant.
She said 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 said.
She said the suspect is expected to appear before the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on charges of dealing in and manufacturing of drugs as well as for the contravention of the Immigration Act.
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
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