Police find underground drug lab in Standerton
Machinery believed to be used in the illegal manufacturing of drugs, drums, and plastic containers filled with substances were recovered.
Police uncovered another drug lab in Rooikoppen farm, Standerton, today, May 14.
This comes just over a month after two clandestine laboratories in Mahonie Street and Rooikoppen farm, as well as a warehouse with chemicals believed to be used in manufacturing of drugs were found.
According to the Mpumalanga spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, these three sites were all active crime scenes until the service of the cleaning company was appointed through the assistance of the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Hawks Supply Chain Management and Standerton SAPS to clean and purify the areas.
“The Hawks Secunda based Serious Organised Crime Investigation received information before the cleaning process could commence that underneath one of the containers, there was an entrance to the underground laboratory.
“The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation followed up the clues and identified the underground entrance.”
Nkosi said machinery believed to be used in the illegal manufacturing of drugs, drums, and plastic containers filled with substances were recovered.
The Hawks can not confirm the value of the recovered equipment and chemicals pending further investigation.
“Currently, the scene is under police guard to allow the Forensic Science Laboratory (Chemistry) to analyse the recovered machinery and substances,” said Nkosi.
Two South African nationals and six Mozambican nationals are still behind bars following their arrest on the first two recoveries.
Eleven vehicles, including high-performance luxury vehicles and millions of Rands, were seized in April.
The Mpumalanga head of the Hawks, Major General Nico Gerber, applauded members for following up on the information and uncovering further drug consignments. The Hawks will leave no stone uncovered to dismantle the enterprise and the associated structures.
The police recovered machinery believed to be used in the illegal manufacturing of drugs, drums, and plastic containers filled substances. Photos: Supplied
