South African Police dismantle drug laboratories, two Nigerian nationals arrested

A statement released by South African Police Service today said that members of the Organised Crime in Pretoria have on dismantled a clandestine laboratory in Dukathole, Sandton on Thursday, July 14 and arrested two Nigerian nationals. The Nigerian nationals, aged 32 and 39, were arrested at the scene and will appear before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday, July 15. The value of the drug is estimated to be R100 000.

In KwaZulu-Natal the Organised Crime members in Pietermaritzburg discovered a hydroponic lab valued at R1.2 million in Peaken Farm, Merrivale. One suspect was arrested for cultivating dagga and will appear before the Pietermaritzburg Magaistrate’s Court on Monday next week.

The National Head of the Hawks Lieutenant General Mthandazo Ntlemeza said the Hawks across the country had scored major victories against the drug syndicates and were not letting up.

“Many of the raids on suburban drug homes were conducted as a result of crime intelligence – an area that were we are getting great co – operation.

We have a made a commitment to fight drugs,” Ntlemeza said.

“We have appointed dedicated members and the capacity is improving and it is already having a positive effect. This operations are not just about a group of individuals being disrupted, it is actually a serious and organised crime group that must be dismantled from top to bottom. Tracking the money is another key to identifying these unknown syndicates as well as targeting their wealth. We are coming down hard on serious crime and drugs,” he concluded.