Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni has commended South African Police Service (SAPS) members involved in dismantling an underground drug laboratory worth millions in Alberton on Friday.

The police also arrested eight suspects.

On 28 May 2024, Johannesburg K9 members received information regarding a suspected drug laboratory operating from certain premises in Alberton. Over the following days, police observed the premises and confirmed there was illegal activity happening within the premises.

The members approached the National Counter Narcotics for assistance and proceeded to the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court to apply for a search warrant, which was granted.

On Friday, at about 10:00 in the morning, the team comprising of the Johannesburg K9 and National Counter Narcotics units, executed the search warrant at the premises.

The police found massive quantities of precursor chemicals for manufacturing drugs, drug manufacturing equipment and actual drugs.

The members then withdre
w from the house and called in Forensic Crime Scene Management as well as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority.

The police placed eight suspects found at the premises under arrest. They are facing possible charges of dealing in drugs and contravening Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, Act 140 of 1992.

The Provincial Commissioner thanked the team for their due diligence, patience and execution of the search warrant.

‘This discovery and subsequent arrest of these alleged drug dealers and traffickers will have a positive impact on the streets of Gauteng.

‘These suspects’ criminal dealings have been disrupted and we have definitely hit them hard in the pockets,’ said Mthombeni.

Source: South African Government News Agency