Police in South Africa uncover industrial-scale meth lab, arrest four suspects

Police in South Africa uncovered an industrial-scalemeth manufacturing lab and arrested four suspects including two Mexicans. In a statementon Saturday (July 20) the police saidthat a labwas discovered on a farm in Groblersdal, a small town in Limpopo province.

Officers of the elite Haws (an elite police unit) foundlarge quantities of chemicals used in the manufacturing of illicit drugs including acetone and crystal meth, with an estimated street value of$109.5 million (around 2 billion rand), the police said.

One of the biggest-ever drug seizures

This was one of thebiggest-ever drug seizures in South Africa.Hawks spokespersonKatlego Mogale said that what made this seizure different from others was the involvement of Mexican citizens.

"It means that our task has just become very difficult," Mogale told the news agency Reuters.She added it was not clear whetherthe suspects were manufacturing drugs to distribute within the country or elsewhere.

The police, meanwhile, said that as the investigation continued,the arrested suspects would make their first court appearance on Monday on charges of manufacturing, dealing, and possession of illicit drugs

South Africa: A major drug transit nation

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), South Africais a major drug transit country due to its geography and international trade links, and also a growing market for synthetic drugs.

In a report published last year, the UNODC said thatMethamphetamine trafficking in particular had been on the rise in Africa.

(With inputs from agencies)