Standerton – Police have uncovered an underground illicit drug manufacturing lab at Rooikopen Farm in Standerton, Mpumalanga.
Mpumalanga Hawks’ spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, said the raid on Wednesday, (14 May 2025), came just over a month after two clandestine laboratories were uncovered in Mahonie Street and Rooikopen Farm.
Lieutenant Colonel Nkosi explained that the labs remained active crime scenes until a cleaning company could be appointed to clean and purify them.
Lieutenant Colonel Nkosi said the underground lab was uncovered before the cleaning process could begin.
Observant officials noticed that underneath one of the containers, there was an entrance leading underground.
“The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation followed up the clues whereby the underground entrance was identified,” Lieutenant Colonel Nkosi said.
“Machinery believed to be used in the illegal manufacturing of drugs, drums, and plastic containers filled with substances were recovered.
“The Hawks can not confirm the value of the recovered equipment and chemicals pending further investigation.”
Lieutenant Colonel Nkosi said the scene was under police guard to allow the Forensic Science Laboratory (Chemistry) to analyse the recovered machinery and substances.
Eight suspects, two South Africans and six Mozambicans, were still behind bars following their arrest in the first two drug lab busts.
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Eleven vehicles, including high-performance luxury vehicles and millions of Rands, were seized in April 2025.
The Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, applauded members for following up on the information and uncovering further drug consignments.
“The Hawks will leave no stone uncovered to dismantle the enterprise and the associated structures,” declared Major General Gerber.
