Five arrested after Gauteng police uncover R1 million hydroponic dagga lab

Gauteng police arrested five men after discovering a hydroponic dagga laboratory valued at more than R1 million in De Deur, Sedibeng District, on Thursday, August 27. The operation was intelligence-driven and involved multiple specialised units.

Who was arrested and where

Five men were detained following the raid in De Deur. The suspects include two Jamaican nationals, two Malawian nationals and one Lesotho national.

How the operation was carried out

Gauteng police described the operation as intelligence-led and said it involved members of Gauteng Counter-Intelligence Narcotics, Gauteng Organised Crime, West Rand K9, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), National Cybercrime and private security companies.

Items recovered and charges

Officers recovered a .303 rifle and a 9mm Glock pistol during the operation. The suspects are charged with contraventions of sections 3 and 5(b) of the Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992.

Two of the five suspects face additional charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and the group is due to appear before the Meyerton Magistrate’s Court soon.

Official comment

“Two of the five suspects are also facing additional charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition,”

Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, Gauteng police spokesperson

Related enforcement activity

According to IOL, in June three suspects were arrested in Limpopo after being found with drugs estimated at R11 million. That earlier operation was reported as part of ongoing efforts against organised drug crime.

Investigation and next steps

The matter is being processed through the criminal justice system with upcoming court appearances at the Meyerton Magistrate’s Court. Further investigative and forensic work was carried out as part of the intelligence-driven operation.