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Mpumalanga Drug Bust Exposes R50 Million Operation, Eight Suspects Arrested
Police in Mpumalanga have dismantled a massive drug manufacturing network, arresting eight suspects and uncovering illegal labs scattered across Standerton. The bust, involving multiple law enforcement units, also netted over R50 million in machinery, chemicals, vehicles, and illicit drugs — making it one of the province’s biggest crackdowns in recent years.
Among the arrested are several undocumented foreign nationals, and investigators believe the operation has international links. One of the most shocking finds was R3.6 million in cash hidden in a luxury vehicle, discovered during the second phase of the raids.
The operation began in April 2024 after a public tip-off led officers to an industrial storage site. Police uncovered a fully equipped lab with large amounts of chemical substances and manufacturing tools. Four undocumented Mozambican nationals were arrested at the facility, and a follow-up search at a nearby farm led to the arrest of two more foreign suspects — the parents of one of the initial arrestees.
On 7 April 2025, the six appeared briefly in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court. But the investigation was far from over.
#PoliceMinistry [WATCH] The Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu briefs the media in Standerton Mpumalanga: 8 suspects arrested following an intelligence driven operation that shut down a clandestine #DrugLab that was being run on a farm, a warehouse and a house in Standerton. 11… https://t.co/msMvL6ouRj pic.twitter.com/FE21NvOGo1
— SA Police Service
(@SAPoliceService) April 13, 2025
Fresh intelligence sparked two additional raids on 8 April. Police targeted a residential property where more drug production equipment was found — including a tablet press, a petrol generator, and buckets of finished drug products. The estimated street value of the second raid’s seizure was R28 million, including a disassembled machine valued at over R2 million.
Three South African men were arrested during the second round of operations. Two were caught at the scene, while the third later surrendered. All three appeared in court on 10 April. One has since been released, but the remaining eight suspects are in custody, awaiting a formal bail hearing on 25 April.
In addition to the cash find, several luxury vehicles — including a Mercedes Benz and a white Isuzu bakkie — were confiscated from different locations connected to the suspects.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu praised the coordinated effort, led by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Standerton K9 Unit, Crime Intelligence, and private security partners. “This should be a wake-up call,” he said, urging municipalities to keep track of activities happening in both industrial and residential spaces.
On 7 March alone, 800kg of drugs with a street value of R340 million were destroyed. In total, drugs worth R5.2 billion have been eliminated over the past three years.
The minister also voiced concern over the involvement of undocumented migrants in the drug trade. “Most of the suspects we’re arresting are illegal immigrants. We must secure our borders and remove those who come here to commit crimes,” Mchunu stated.
He concluded by encouraging citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities. The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster is expected to meet this month to strengthen efforts against cross-border crime.
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Sourced:African Insider
Picture: SAPoliceService/X
