R350 million worth of crystal-meth found in Mpumalanga farm lab. Image credit: SABC
(The Post News)- Police in Mpumalanga have busted a large drug operation after uncovering a crystal methamphetamine laboratory worth an estimated R350 million on a farm in Volksrust.
Six suspects were arrested, five are reported to be from a North American country and the sixth is the caretaker of the farm. Two other suspects, believed to be from West African countries, evaded the arrest after fleeing into nearby bushes.
“A thorough search of the premises led to the discovery of large quantities of precursor chemicals used in drug manufacturing, drug-manufacturing equipment, crystal methamphetamine valued at approximately R350 million packaged in lunch boxes and buckets and stored in freezers; a pellet gun loaded with blank rounds and three live nine-millimetre rounds found in the possession of the farm’s caretaker,” Maphanga said.
She added that the scene was immediately secured and handed over to the Hawks for further processing.
“Following the discovery, the premises were secured and Forensics was called in to process the scene, which was handed over to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations. They are facing possible charges related to contravening the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act as well as the Immigration Act,” said Maphanga.
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