Johannesburg,South Africa

The South African Police Service(SAPS) in Gauteng province has discovered a drug lab valued at R80 million in Johannesburg and arrested two illegal immigrants on the premises.

On Thursday,the Gauteng police raided a plot in Douglasdale after being suspicious of illegal activities that might be taking place there.

According to SAPS statement,Gauteng police have through Organised Crime Unit and PES Flexi discovered a drug lab,with drugs and processing machinery to the estimated value of R80 million at a plot in Douglasdale,Johannesburg,on Thursday,22 August 2024.At the premises,police also found two unlicensed firearms,ammunition of high caliber firearms,pullet guns,and replica firearms.Two illegal immigrants who were found at the premises were arrested.

Police have been observing and monitoring that plot for while and applied a search warrant which gave them a go-ahead with the operation.

"The police have been observing and monitoring a plot where suspicious activities were taking place.

On Thursday morning,the police executed a search warrant where they discovered that the premises were used to manufacture drugs,machinery,and finished products were found at the premises,"said police statement.

The Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Gauteng,Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni has applauded that team which discovered that drug lab.

"More than ten(10) drug labs have been discovered by the police in Gauteng in the last five months.This is evidence enough that we are making inroads in identifying and dismantling drug labs in our province.I am proud of my members who have been working with diligence to identify and close down the existing drug labs in our province,"said Lieutenant General Mthombeni.

The arrested suspects are expected to appear before the local magistrate's court in due course where they will be facing charges that include manufacturing of drugs,possession of unlicensed firearms and possession of ammunition.