The Hawks in the Eastern Cape have arrested five suspects aged between 22 and 36 following the following the discovery of a large-scale clandestine laboratory dedicated to the cultivation of hydroponic cannabis.
Spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Avele Fumba says a team obtained a search warrant for a property located on Mooiplaas Quarry Road near Port Alfred.
The team uncovered a sophisticated cultivation laboratory, as well as cannabis plants being grown under controlled conditions.
Fumba says the laboratory was also allegedly used for packaging these cannabis products, ready for distribution.
The suspects, three undocumented foreign nationals and two South Africans will appear in the Port Alfred Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges related to the contravention of the Immigration, Drug Trafficking, and Narcotics Medicine Acts.
