By Everson Luhanga
- Gauteng police arrested a 46-year-old suspect and seized drugs worth R1.5 million after uncovering a drug lab in Vanderbijlpark.
- The bust followed an investigation into a wanted suspect, leading officers to confiscate drugs, an unlicensed firearm, and drug-making equipment.
Gauteng police have uncovered a drug lab worth R1.5 million in Vanderbijlpark, leading to the arrest of a 46-year-old suspect.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda van Wyk said officers seized mandrax and drug-making equipment worth over R1 million during the operation.
The bust followed an intensive investigation by a multi-disciplinary team, including detectives from Western Cape Organised Crime Investigations (OCI), Head Office Narcotics, and Gauteng Narcotics. The team was tracking a suspect wanted for drug dealing in De Rust, Western Cape.
Their search first led them to an address in South Crest, Alberton, where they found an unlicensed firearm and over 7,000 mandrax tablets worth more than R560,000 in the suspect’s home and vehicle.
Van Wyk said further investigations then led officers to a property in Vanderbijlpark, where they discovered a fully operating drug lab.
“Seized items included a tablet press, various chemicals, drug manufacturing equipment, and a quantity of mandrax powder and mandrax tablets with an estimated value of R500,000,” she said.
She added that the operation was a joint effort between Western Cape OCI and Head Office Narcotics, resulting in the discovery of the clandestine drug lab.
The suspect is set to appear in court next week on charges of drug possession, dealing, and manufacturing.
Pictured above: Equipment and drugs seized during the police operation in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, on Friday.
Image source: Gauteng SAPS
