Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
Five people linked to what authorities describe as an industrial-scale clandestine drug laboratory worth an estimated R600 million have appeared in the Musina Magistrates’ Court in South Africa’s Limpopo Province.
They were arrested during a major intelligence-driven operation on a farm in Vhembe District.
The accused persons include two Mexican nationals, Verdogo Marioano Barrera (48) and Leon Castilo Juan (39), and three Zimbabwean nationals, Nyamukanga Tichaona Roy (23), Mabayi Lee (35), and Nyamukanga Tanaka Royce (20).
They face charges of manufacturing a scheduled substance, dealing in drugs, possession of drugs, money laundering and contravention of the Immigration Act.
South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson for the Limpopo Division, Ms Mashudu Malabi, said the arrests followed an operation conducted on August 20 at Plot 19, Kamkusi Campbell, in Musina.
She said the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, carried out the operation in collaboration with various South African Police Service units.
Ms Malabi said the court postponed the matter to August 28 for the arrangement of language interpreters.
“All five accused remain in custody, and the investigation is ongoing. Additional charges have not been ruled out as authorities continue to trace links and assets connected to the operation,” she said.
“During the operation, authorities allegedly uncovered a clandestine laboratory manufacturing crystal methamphetamine.
“Drugs and laboratory equipment with an estimated street value of R600 million, as well as an undisclosed amount of cash, were seized. The drugs were allegedly destined for distribution. The five accused were arrested at the scene.”
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Avele Fumba described the bust as a significant blow to organised crime.
He said that the operation was supported by the South African Narcotics Bureau Head Office, Crime Intelligence Head Office, Hawks Limpopo, the Special Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Agency and Homeland Security.
“This is the third clandestine drug laboratory to be shut down in Limpopo,” said Colonel Fumba.
“The breakthrough follows a two-month intensive investigation into suspected drug manufacturing activities at the farm.
“The discovery has exposed an alleged sophisticated, industrial-scale operation believed to have been established for the manufacture of dangerous illicit substances destined for distribution.”
Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General Advocate Gopz Govender, said the seizure was about more than the drugs taken off the streets.
He said the unit had struck at the machinery behind the drug trade.
“This R600 million seizure represents the disruption of an entire criminal enterprise. We will follow the money, the networks and every person connected to this operation. There will be nowhere to hide,” he said.
Provincial Commissioner of SAPS Limpopo, Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers, added that the operation demonstrated law enforcement agencies’ commitment to protecting communities.
“We will not allow our communities to become markets for criminal syndicates. Those who manufacture and distribute these dangerous substances must know that law enforcement is closing in on them,” he said.
