Sunday, November 10, 2024

FIRST WITH SECURITY NEWS

SAPS Uncovers Massive R2 billion “Clandestine Drug Lab”

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Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, applauded an operation by a joint team of Limpopo Hawks and Limpopo SAPS. The operation resulted in four arrests and the discovery of a sophisticated drug lab in Groblersdal.

Four suspects including the farm owner and two Mexican nationals were arrested on 19 July 2024, in an intelligence driven operation by members of the Limpopo Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) team assisted by the Limpopo Tactical Response Team. At this farm, the authorities searched four structures, and uncovered a multimillion-dollar clandestine drug laboratory.

Information received by the team initiated a search on the property, 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. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) has since the beginning of the year uncovered ten clandestine drug laboratories, which have lead to 34 arrests.

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.”

Newham praised the swift action of SAPS and the Hawks in identifying and raiding the facility but stated that only four arrests were made indicates it is “unlikely that they apprehended the kingpins behind the operation.” Additionally, Newham cited concern around the number of arrests made for drug possession versus those for the production of drugs.

“Over 19000 people arrested [in] December 2023 for drug possession but only 34 for the production of drugs. This reveals a massive misuse of policing resources as arresting thousands of drug users does nothing to reduce the demand or supply of drugs, nor does it improve overall levels of public safety.”

Newham called on police to focus on “arresting and supporting the prosecution of those who commit the most harm. With drugs this means those who manufacture and distribute illicit substances.” Newham further noted that an focusing on prosecuting drug production charges “would see large increases in prosecutions for organised crime related to drug manufacturing and trafficking with fewer arrests for possession.”

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