Police added that the Hawks have not ruled out the possibility of further arrests.
South African police arrested four individuals, including two Mexican nationals, after discovering a multimillion-dollar drug manufacturing laboratory on a farm in the north of the country, CNN reported.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Priority Crime Investigation Directorate, known as the Hawks, raided the property in Groblersdal following reports of suspicious activity, according to a SAPS statement.
When searching four structures on the farm, police discovered large quantities of chemicals used in the production of illicit drugs, such as acetone and methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of 2 billion South African rand ($109.4 million). .
The four suspects arrested on Friday include the farm owner and two Mexican nationals. Police added that the Hawks have not ruled out the possibility of further arrests.
#sapsHAWKS The Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu, MP, welcomed the outstanding arrests made in the discovery of a clandestine drug laboratory worth R2 billion in Groblersdal on 19 July 2024 by a joint team of Limpopo Hawks and Limpopo SAPS. #DrugsOffTheStreets ML… pic.twitter.com/9ErFydp0Th
– SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) July 20, 2024
“What makes this different from other [seizures] it’s the involvement of Mexican citizens,” Hawks national spokesman Katlego Mogale told Reuters, adding: “That means our task has just become very difficult.”
It is unclear whether the seized drugs were intended for the South African market or for export.
The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that its embassy in South Africa did not receive the necessary consular notification and is in contact with local authorities to gather details about the case and the alleged involvement of Mexicans.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Groblersdal Magistrate’s court on Monday to face charges of manufacturing, trafficking and possession of illicit drugs, according to police.
In January, police reported that around 131 drug laboratories had been closed across the country since 2019. During the festive season last year, more than 19,000 people were arrested for drug possession.
So far this year, the Hawks have uncovered 10 secret drug labs and arrested 34 people as part of their war on drugs in the country, the statement said.
This story originally appeared on Ndtv.com read the full story
