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Three Mexican nationals, a farmer and another suspect appeared in court in Groblersdal on Tuesday following the discovery of a drug lab that police said was worth an estimated R2 billion.
The Hawks said that Gonzales Jorge (51), Gutierrez Lopes (43), Simphiwe Khumalo (35) and farmer Frederick Botha (67), appeared in court on Tuesday.
Hawks’ spokesperson, Colonel Katelgo Mogale, said a fifth suspect, Ruben Vidal Rodriguez, also appeared in court separately.
She said they all face charges of manufacturing, dealing and possession of illicit drugs and will appear in court soon.
Mogale said the case against four of the accused was postponed to 1 August, while the matter against Rodriguez was postponed to Wednesday, 24 July, for a formal bail application.
She said the suspects were arrested following a tip-off about suspicious activities take place at Thabo Monate farm in the Groblersdal area.
The Hawks said the information was “operationalised” by members of a multi-disciplinary team.
“Four structures on the property were searched and large quantities of chemicals used in the manufacturing of illicit drugs including acetone as well as crystal meth with an estimated street value of R2 billion were recovered,” Mogale said.
She said the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation has since the beginning of this year, uncovered ten clandestine drug laboratories and made 34 arrests, apart from this recent one.
