Two arrested for running a drug lab in Sasolburg

It’s been a busy week for the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, making a number of drug busts in the country, the latest one being in Sasolburg in the Northern Cape.  

The two suspects were handcuffed for allegedly running a clandestine drug laboratory and are due to appear in court on Monday, 20 July 2020. 

“Two suspects aged 37 and 41 who were arrested for allegedly operating a clandestine drug laboratory over the weekend in Vaal Park are expected to make their first appearance in the Sasolburg Magistrates Court on Monday”, Warrant Officer Lynda Steyn said in a statement. 

According to the Hawks, they had received a tip-off about the lab, which prompted them to act. While en-route to the scene, they came across a suspicious  vehicle, which they then attempted to stop, however the driver refused, which led to a high-speed car chase. 

“The K9 Unit from Sasolburg, received a tip off about a clandestine drug laboratory in Vaal Park area and followed it up. Whilst on the way to execute the search warrants, a vehicle matching the description of the suspects was spotted in the corner of Namib and Kamiesberg Street and an attempt to stop it was made and failed”, Steyn further said. 

The driver was then cornered and subsequently arrested after a search of the car yielded some results. 

“The vehicle was later cornered after a high speed chase and a bag full of CAT drugs was found resulting in the arrest of the driver” 

They then continued with their initial plan, which was to storm the drug lab. 

An investigation is underway 

“The team proceeded to the house where drug manufacturing chemicals including battery acid, acetone, caustic soda, acid and other unknown chemicals were found and seized in one of the rooms and the other suspect was also arrested”, Steyn said. 

The Hawks have since launched an investigation into the matter. 

Meanwhile in Kwa Zulu-Natal, a 38-year-old man is expected to appear in the Verulam Magistrates Court on Monday, 20 July 2020 for dealing in drugs. The arrest emanates from an intelligence driven operation that was conducted by the Provincial Organised Investigations on 17 July 2020. 

“Police pounced on the suspect at the business premises on Stanmore Drive in Phoenix and recovered mandrax and cocaine. The recovered drugs have an estimated street value of more than R9000-00. Cash suspected to be from the proceeds of the drug trade was also seized. The suspect was immediately arrested and detained for dealing in drugs. Similar operations will continue to root out the drug trade in the Phoenix policing precinct”, police have said.