Police dismantle R350 million crystal meth operation in South Africa

The South African Police Service (SAPS) busted a drug laboratory in Volksrust, Mpumalanga, where suspects were storing crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as tik, worth R350 million.

This comes after authorities discovered the clandestine operation in mid-September following complaints of an unpleasant smell in the area, raising suspicions of illicit drug manufacturing.

When police arrived at the premises, the suspects tried to flee on foot but were quickly apprehended. This included one South African, the farm caretaker, and five Mexican nationals.

However, two of the suspects, believed to be West African, managed to flee into the nearby bushes.

The area was declared a health hazard to the public and the environment and was placed under police guard following the operation.

According to police, all chemicals and equipment from the drug lab will be disposed of.

Following a thorough search of the premises, police found large quantities of precursor chemicals used to manufacture drugs, drug manufacturing equipment, and crystal methamphetamine stored in a freezer.

They also found a pellet gun loaded with blank rounds and three live 9mm rounds in the possession of the farm caretaker.

According to police, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, said that it worked hard to oppose the bail of the six suspects.

The five Mexicans abandoned their bail applications, while the South African was granted bail of R50,000.

“Our investigation is still ongoing. We will leave no stone unturned until we get the masterminds behind this illegal operation,” said Mpumalanga Hawks head, Major General Nico Gerber.

Mpumalanga Acting Police Commissioner, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended the collaboration between the various teams involved in the operation.

“Police are working hard to rid the streets of Mpumalanga of all types of drugs, and dismantling a clandestine drug lab, which is the source of these drugs, is a step in the right direction.”

R2.4 billion in 15 months

The Volksrust drug lab bust was the third clandestine operation discovered to be producing crystal methamphetamine and linked to Mexican nationals.

In November last year, the Hawks uncovered a drug laboratory in Rietfontein, Gauteng, arresting a 39-year-old Mexican national in the process.

The intelligence-based operation saw the seizure of various chemicals, drug manufacturing equipment, cash, and crystal meth, all valued at approximately R80 million.

Among the equipment found was a hydraulic pill press, vacuum distillation ovens for refining purity levels, and digital scales.

The suspect was reported to have entered the country on a temporary business visa, posing as an agribusiness consultant.

Further investigations revealed encrypted communications on his devices with international handlers.

A few months earlier, in July, two Mexican nationals and two South Africans were arrested following a raid on a drug manufacturing facility in Groblersdal, Limpopo.

Acting on intelligence about suspicious activities taking place on a farm, authorities raided the property. They found roughly one tonne of crystal meth with a street value of R2 billion, as well as chemicals such as acetone.

This made it one of South Africa’s largest drug busts to date.

The four appeared before the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court on charges of manufacturing, dealing in, and possession of illicit drugs.

Images of the Groblersdal and Rietfontein labs