Police Minister lauds cops for drug busts in Standerton
Nine suspects were arrested, and the total estimated value of the machinery and substances was reported as R48m.
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu visited the Standerton Police Station after the discovery of two clandestine drug labs in Standerton on April 13.
The first drug lab was discovered on April 4 in the Standerton industrial area. Reportedly, the Hawks Secunda arrested six suspects regarding chemicals found in a warehouse and on a nearby farm. Investigators believe the chemicals were used to manufacture drugs.
Recovered machinery and substances at this location were believed to be worth R20m. Merely four days later, on April 8, a second drug lab was discovered in Flora Park. According to reports, the Hawks Secunda had thoroughly monitored this lab.
A pressing machine and 35 buckets of white powder were found at this location, as well as substances and machinery valued at R28m.
Seven vehicles were seized in the investigation. While only two suspects were arrested in this case, a third handed himself in on April 9 with his legal representative present.
The team that worked tirelessly to uncover these two labs comprised the Hawks’ Secunda-based Serious Crime Investigation, the South African Narcotic Enforcement Bureau, Standerton Crime Intelligence, Standerton K9, the Standerton Local Criminal Record Centre, the Forensic Science Laboratory and a private security company.
Nine suspects were arrested, and the total estimated value of the machinery and substances was reported as R48m. Mchunu was accompanied on his visit to Standerton by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation National head, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya.
They visited the laboratories and warehouses where the substances were manufactured and stored.
