The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Gauteng Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni has commended members involved in dismantling a clandestine hydroponic cannabis laboratory worth approximately R40 million in Magaliesburg, West Rand district on 18 July 2024, where seven suspects were arrested.
SAPS members operationalised information on a suspected drug laboratory operating from a small holding in Magaliesburg. Upon conducting preliminary investigations and in consultation with other units, the members applied for a search warrant which was executed today.
The police searched the premises and discovered a fully operational cannabis laboratory. Dagga plants, products and all chemicals and equipment were seized as well as a signal jamming device, live rounds of ammunition, gas pistol and air rifle.
The team comprised of members from National and Provincial Organised Crime Investigations, Crime Intelligence Counter Narcotics, Forensic Science’s Chemical Investigation Unit, National Intervention Unit, Tactical Response Team, Sedibeng and West Rand K9 and Gauteng Emergency Medical Services.
The Provincial Commissioner has appreciated the work done by the team. “We will continue to hit drug manufacturers and dealers and destroy their laboratories in order to disrupt their production. I am very happy with our efforts to deal with the scourge of drugs in the province. This is the third clandestine laboratory we have discovered in a few weeks,” said Lt Gen Mthombeni.
The suspects are a Scottish national, Russian national, a Tanzanian national, two Lesotho nationals and two South Africans. All suspects will appear before the Krugerdorp Magistrate’s Court on Monday 22 July 2024. They will be facing charges which include, dealing and cultivation of dagga, possession of unlicensed ammunition and contravention of electronic communications Act 36 of 2005.