GAUTENG – Gauteng police have arrested five suspects and uncovered a hydroponic dagga laboratory valued at more than R1 million during an intelligence-driven operation in De Deur. The significant bust highlights ongoing law enforcement efforts to dismantle illegal drug cultivation networks in the province.
The multi-disciplinary raid was executed by a joint team comprising members of the Gauteng Counterfeit Intelligence Narcotics unit, Gauteng Organised Crime, West Rand K9, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), National Cybercrime, and private security personnel.
During the operation, authorities recovered a .303 rifle and a 9mm Glock pistol alongside the illicit cultivation setup. Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed the details of the bust, noting that the five arrested individuals are foreign nationals, specifically two Jamaican citizens, two Malawian citizens, and one Lesotho national, aged between 29 and 68.
Captain Sibeko stated that the suspects are facing charges related to the contravention of Sections 3 and 5(b) of the Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992. Furthermore, two of the five suspects face additional charges for the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Meyerton Magistrate’s Court in the near future as police investigations into the operation remain ongoing.
