In one of the largest drug busts in the history of the nation, South African police have discovered an industrial-scale meth manufacturing facility and have taken into custody four suspects, including two Mexicans, they said on Saturday.
According to a statement from the police, the laboratory was found on a property in Groblersdal, a small town in the province of Limpopo.
They discovered significant amounts of chemicals used in the production of illegal substances, such as crystal meth and acetone, which have a street value of an estimated 2 billion rand ($109.5 million).
The engagement of Mexican people is what sets this seizure distinctive, according to Katlego Mogale, national spokeswoman for the Hawks, an elite police squad that was involved in the operation.
“It means that our task has just gotten difficult.”
According to her, it’s unclear if the suspects were producing drugs for domestic or international distribution.
Laptops 1000According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, South Africa is a key drug transit nation because of its geographic location, connections to other countries, and expanding synthetic drug market (UNODC).
Particularly methamphetamine trafficking is increasing across Africa, according to the U.N. agency’s 2023 World Drug Report.
According to the police statement, the apprehended suspects will appear in court for the first time on Monday to answer allegations of making, distributing, and possessing illegal narcotics while the investigation is ongoing.
