Five men have been arrested after law enforcement authorities raided a suspected crystal meth laboratory worth an estimated R600 million on a farm in Musina, Limpopo.
The raid took place late on Thursday night and followed a two-month investigation into alleged drug manufacturing at the property.
The operation involved the Hawks, SAPS, the South African Narcotics Bureau, Crime Intelligence and the Special Task Force. US agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security, also took part.
Drugs and equipment worth R600m seized
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Avele Fumba said drugs and laboratory equipment valued at about R600 million were seized during the raid. Authorities also recovered an undisclosed amount of cash.
The suspects are aged between 20 and 47.
Two are Mexican nationals, two are Zimbabwean and one is Malawian.
According to Fumba, investigators had been probing suspected drug manufacturing activities on the farm for two months before launching the operation.
Authorities believe the facility had been set up for industrial-scale drug production.
The bust marks the third clandestine drug laboratory shut down in Limpopo.
Hawks target criminal drug networks
Limpopo Hawks head Major General Gopz Govender said the operation was aimed at dismantling more than just the drugs found at the scene.
He said the R600 million seizure represented the disruption of what authorities believe was a wider criminal enterprise.
Govender added that investigators would continue tracing the money, networks and people linked to the operation.
Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers also warned that authorities would continue targeting syndicates involved in manufacturing and distributing illicit drugs.
Five suspects due in court
Police remained at the Musina property on Friday morning as officers continued processing the scene.
The five suspects are expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
They face charges relating to the manufacturing and possession of illicit drugs.
Authorities said additional charges could still be added as the investigation continues.