An intelligence-driven operation led the South African Police Service (SAPS) has uncovered a drug laboratory with an estimated value of R100 million in Rietfontein, Gauteng.

Following extensive surveillance conducted on the premises, a multi-disciplinary team comprising of the National and Provincial Organised Crime Investigations (Narcotics units), National Counter Narcotics, Diepsloot and Westrand Tactical Response Teams (TRT) and West Rand K9 unit obtained a search and seizure warrant.

The takedown on Wednesday 27 November led the team to seize various chemicals, drug manufacturing equipment and final product which was confirmed to be methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth or tik.

The team also seized cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime, and arrested a 39-year-old Mexican national.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Atteridgeville Magistrates Court on charges of dealing in and manufacturing of drugs as well as for the contravention of the Immigration Act, the SAPS said.

Numerous drug laboratories have been uncovered this year. For example, on 29 September police raided a mandrax lab in Limpopo, seizing drugs valued at R4 million and arresting three suspects. In August, police uncovered a drug lab at a plot in Douglasdale, Johannesburg, with drugs and processing machinery estimated to be worth R80 million. The lab was discovered through the Organised Crime Unit and Police Emergency Service (PES) Flexi Team. More than a dozen drug labs have been discovered by the police in Gauteng in the last eight months.

The biggest bust came on 19 July when police discovered a sophisticated drug lab in Groblersdal. Four suspects including two Mexican nationals were arrested in an intelligence driven operation, which uncovered large quantities of chemicals used in the manufacturing of illicit drugs, and crystal meth with an estimated street value of R2 billion was seized.

At the time, Gareth Newham, Head of Justice and Violence Prevention at the Institute for Security Studies, noted that “the size of the operation and amount of chemicals seized, it’s most likely part of a large and sophisticated syndicate. That Mexicans were arrested shows a transnational organisation.”