Mpumalanga police will permanently shut down a multimillion-rand crystal meth lab in Volksrust on Friday.
Provincial Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said a clean-up operation is underway.
He said police will dispose of the equipment and chemicals at the lab, which was dismantled following a bust last month.
“All chemicals and equipment used during the illegal activities will be disposed of. The disposal will bring a complete shutdown to the illegal operation that poses danger to citizens,” Nkosi said on Wednesday.
COMPLAINT LEADS TO ARRESTS
Last month, police raided the farm after receiving complaints about a foul smell coming from the property.
Six suspects, five Mexican nationals and one South African, were arrested.
They are Isabel Antonio Quintero Corrales (36), Hector Manuel Valenzuela Ontiveros (36), Luis Alberto Osorio Viscarra (31), Jose Omar Molina Jimenez (36), Nicanor Molina Jimenez (48) and Bafana Samson Magubane.
The group appeared in the Volksrust Magistrate’s court ear month.
Nkosi said Magubane was released on a R50,000 bail while the Mexican nationals abandoned their bail bids.
During the arrest, Magubane, a caretaker at the farm, was found in possession of three unlicensed 9mm live rounds. Police said the drugs, worth R350 million, were packed in lunchboxes and stored in fridges.
He was charged with drug trafficking and contravening firearm control laws.
The Mexican nationals, who were in the country illegally, face charges of drug trafficking and violating immigration laws.
A police investigation is ongoing.
“We will leave no stone unturned until we get the masterminds behind this illegal operation,” said provincial Hawks boss Major General Nico Gerber.
