Pretoria – Authorities have secured a preservation order handing over ownership to the state of the Rietfontein property, where the police uncovered a clandestine drug laboratory valued at approximately R100 million and arrested a Mexican.
Commenting on the preservation order, on Sunday, 19 July 2026, Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, lauded the move.
She applauded the multidisciplinary team behind the preservation of property order secured in court, which resulted in a Rietfontein property and cash amounting to R27 800 being forfeited to the State.
On 19 June 2026, the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Pretoria, granted a preservation of property order in terms of Section 50 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), Act 121 of 1998.
The order emanates from a takedown operation conducted on 27 November 2024, during which police uncovered a clandestine drug laboratory valued at approximately R100 million on a property in Rietfontein, Gauteng. A Mexican national was arrested at the scene.
Following extensive surveillance of the premises, a multidisciplinary team comprising members of the National and Gauteng Provincial Organised Crime Investigation: Narcotics Units, Crime Intelligence, the West Rand Tactical Response Team (TRT), and the West Rand K9 Unit executed a search and seizure warrant.
Police seized various chemicals, drug manufacturing equipment, and finished products, which were confirmed to be methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth.
The preservation order authorises the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) to sell the Rietfontein property.
The proceeds from the sale, together with the cash seized at the scene, will be paid into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA).
“This preservation order demonstrates that crime does not pay,” said Lieutenant General Dimpane.
“Through the combined efforts of SAPS investigators and the National Prosecuting Authority, we are ensuring that those involved in the manufacturing and distribution of illicit drugs are deprived not only of their freedom, but also of the assets and profits derived from criminal activities.”
Lieutenant General Dimpane said SAPS remains resolute in dismantling organised crime syndicates and safeguarding communities from the devastating impact of drugs.
