A 39-year-old Zimbabwean man and three women aged between 23 and 29 have been arrested after police raided a suspected multimillion-rand drug laboratory in Scheerpoort, near Hartbeespoort Dam in South Africa’s North West province.
The four suspects were arrested on Tuesday during an intelligence-driven operation after Hartbeespoortdam police received information about suspected illegal activities at a property in the area.Police said the information was shared with Brits Crime Intelligence and the Hartbeespoortdam K9 unit, which conducted further investigations and verified the information before the raid.
According to North West police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh, officers found three women and one man at the property. A search uncovered what appeared to be a drug laboratory, including processed drugs, a drug-production mixture and equipment allegedly used to manufacture drugs.
Police also seized four firearms, including a rifle and three handguns, along with ammunition during the operation.The suspects face charges of possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition, as well as dealing in and manufacturing drugs under the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act of 1992. They are expected to appear before the Brits Magistrates’ Court.
North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams praised the officers for their swift response and cooperation, saying police would continue targeting organised crime networks involved in drug manufacturing and distribution. Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to establish the value of the drugs seized.
