The South African Police Service (Saps) in Gauteng Province has uncovered a massive drugs haul in Douglasdale, Johannesburg. The discovery, valued at an estimated R80 million, took place during a routine investigation which led officers to a plot operating as a clandestine drug lab. Alongside the illicit drugs, processing machinery was also found, suggesting a sophisticated operation capable of producing vast quantities of narcotics.
The drugs haul consisted of various substances ready for distribution, along with chemicals used in the manufacturing process. Police spokespersons have emphasised the importance of such busts, as this kind of operation fuels both local addiction and international drug trafficking networks. The illicit drugs, combined with the high-grade processing equipment found at the scene, make this a standout case in the ongoing war against narcotics in the region.
In addition to the drugs, the police seized two unlicensed firearms, including ammunition for high-calibre firearms. Pullet guns and replica firearms were also discovered, raising concerns about the potential violence associated with the drug trade. The combination of weapons and drugs points to the dangerous nature of such criminal enterprises, where organised crime often resorts to heavy arms to protect their interests.
Two individuals, identified as illegal immigrants, were arrested at the premises. Saps are investigating the two’s roles in the operation, as well as any potential links to broader criminal syndicates operating in the region. Their arrest marks another success for the Saps as they continue to dismantle networks behind these operations.
“On Thursday morning, the police executed a search warrant where they discovered that the premises were used to manufacture drugs. Chemicals used to manufacture drugs, machinery, and finished products were found at the premises. More than ten (10) drug labs have been discovered by the police in Gauteng in the last five months.” said Saps.
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