News24 | PICS | Inside Krugersdorp multimillion-rand clandestine drug 'superlab'

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation arrested nine people during a drug lab bust in Krugersdorp on Monday.

• The Hawks in Gauteng arrested nine people during a drug bust in Krugersdorp.
• Colonel Katlego Mogale said the gang manufactured cocaine and mandrax.
• They are aged between 18 and 55.

Nine people were arrested in a multimillion-rand drug "superlab" in Krugersdorp on Monday. 

Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale said police responded to a tip-off about the drug lab, run from a defunct factory in Pulley Street, Boltonia, in Krugersdorp West.

Mogale said the gang manufactured methamphetamine chemicals in large quantities. 

"The members of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation team descended upon the dilapidated factory, where they found an assortment of methamphetamine-producing chemicals in large quantities.

"During the search of the premises, nine suspects, including two females, were apprehended," she said. 

Mogale said the group was aged between 18 and 55.

They will appear in the Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court on Wednesday on charges of manufacturing illicit drugs. 

Mogale said the head of the Gauteng Hawks, Major-General Ebrahim Kadwa, had encouraged investigators to arrest the masterminds behind the illicit drug syndicate. 

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Last month, national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the police had destroyed drugs, worth R550 million, after several raids last year.

Mathe said the contraband included cocaine, heroin, mandrax and cannabis. 

Mathe said the authorities seized the drugs from various consignments in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Free State, Gauteng, North West and Mpumalanga. 

National police commissioner Fannie Masemola said the police had shut down 131 laboratories since 2019, and arrested 19 000 people suspected of drug manufacturing during the festive season. 

"Our members are working hard to remove drugs off our streets as they intercept drugs coming into the country, as well as within our country, and that speaks to the capabilities of our Crime Intelligence and vigilance of our operational members.

"We also appreciate the tip-offs from community members that assist us in intercepting these drugs," he said.