Mexicans Arrested In Raid On Major South African Meth Lab

Police in South Africa have arrested five suspects, including three Mexicans, after discovering a multimillion-dollar crystal meth lab on a remote farm.

Officers raided the laboratory in the northern town of Groblersdal after receiving a tip about “suspicious activity”, according to a statement from an elite police unit known as the Hawks.

The laboratory operated on an industrial scale, producing the highly addictive drug for both the local and international markets.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, South Africa is one of the largest meth markets in the world and a transit country for illicit drugs.

Four men – two South Africans and two Mexicans – appeared in court in Groblersdal on Tuesday in connection with the case, but were not asked to enter a plea. Their next hearing is on August 1.

Gonzales Jorge, 51, Gutierrez Lopes, 43, Simphiwe Khumalo, 35, and Frederick Botha, 67, were arrested after a search of the farm on Friday, during which crystal meth with an estimated street value of R2 billion (about £84 million; $108 million) was found.

Officers also found chemicals used to produce the drug, such as acetone.

According to the AFP news agency, the owner of the farm is one of those arrested.

Another Mexican suspect, Ruben Vidal Rodriguez, was later arrested on suspicion of manufacturing, trafficking and possession of illegal drugs.

Mr. Rodriguez appeared in court separately on Tuesday and was not asked to enter a plea, and his case will continue on Wednesday.

“What sets this apart from others (attacks) is the involvement of Mexican civilians,” said Katlego Mogale, national spokesman for the Hawks, quoted by AFP.

“That means our task has now become very difficult.”

Since the beginning of this year, the Hawks have discovered 10 drug labs and made 34 arrests.

South Africa’s geography and porous borders make it an attractive transit point for drugs bound for Asia, North America and Western Europe, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said in a report last year.