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Gauteng police have turned up the heat in the West Rand, arresting a 39-year-old Mexican national after dismantling what appeared to be an R100 million hustle—a suspected drug lab in Rietfontein.

Officers uncovered the operation on Wednesday, likely leaving the alleged mastermind wishing they’d picked a less obvious postcode for their high-stakes venture.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda van Wyk said via The Citizen that a multi-disciplinary team descended on the property with a search-and-seizure warrant after extensive surveillance.

“Following extensive surveillance conducted on the premises, the takedown led the team to seize various chemicals, drug manufacturing equipment and final product which was confirmed to be Methamphetamine commonly known as Crystal Meth or Tik. The team also seized cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime.

The tik seized is said to have an estimated street value of R100 million.

Gauteng police arrested a 39-year-old Mexican national after dismantling a suspected drug lab with an estimated value of R100 million in Johannesburg West Rand. #DrugLabBust #Rietfontein #Police @TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/TZEXgN9GZx

— ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) November 28, 2024

Van Wyk said the suspect is expected to appear in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of dealing in and manufacturing of drugs as well as for the contravention of the Immigration Act.

In August, KwaZulu-Natal police made it clear they’re not playing games, arresting two undocumented foreigners in separate incidents for dealing drugs worth a cool R3 million.

Thanks to some sharp work by the Provincial Organised Crime Unit (the folks who know their narcotics), the first suspect was nabbed in Umbilo after a tip-off led to a search of his vehicle. The reward? A tidy haul of 900 heroin capsules with a street value of R2 million.

[sources:news24&citizen]