In Gauteng a clandestine drug laboratory was found at a house at Braamfischerville in Soweto. Four suspects aged between 35 and 58 years were nabbed on Friday 1 March 2019, in an intelligence driven operation involving the Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB), Crime Intelligence Counter Narcotics and the Gauteng K9 Unit.
The multidisciplinary team searched the house and found a clandestine laboratory suspected of being used to produce mandrax. The drug lab was allegedly in operation when the team swooped, seizing a large amount of mandrax tablets, other chemicals and equipment. All four suspects were arrested on the property. The entire haul is suspected to be running into millions of rands, suspects will appear at the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on Monday 4 March 2019.
“The detection and take down of such clandestine drug laboratories contributes significantly to keeping drugs away from our streets and children”, said General Khehla John Sitole.
“Substance abuse is a serious problem in our country which continues to tear our communities apart. As the South African Police Service, we will continue to focus on tackling this problem at its source by squeezing and closing the space for the drug manufacturers and protecting the youth of our country,” said Minister Cele.
All exhibits will be tested at the SAPS Forensic Science laboratory. The possibility of more arrests on this matter cannot be ruled out at this stage.
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