Police raid remote farm north of Johannesburg uncovers third major crystal meth lab in months

Police on Thursday said they uncovered a crystal methamphetamine laboratory on a remote farm about 200 kilometres north of Johannesburg, marking the third major such operation in under four months. The overnight raid followed reports from local people of suspicious activity and a strong, unpleasant smell, authorities said.

What police found

Officers discovered equipment and materials suspected to have been used in the manufacturing of drugs. A 62-year-old man who had been renting the property was arrested, police said. The force identified the operation as involved in the manufacturing of crystal methamphetamine.

Police comment on scale and funding

“We found very expensive equipment like washing machines… that have been bought recently,” North West police chief Arthur Peter Adams said. “That is an indication that whoever is funding this is a person with very deep pockets.”

Pattern of recent raids

Police described this bust as the third major operation in less than four months. In May, officers uncovered a multimillion-rand methamphetamine laboratory on a remote farm northwest of Johannesburg and arrested 11 suspects, including four Mexicans. In August, police found another crystal meth laboratory on the border with Zimbabwe and detained several foreign nationals, including two Mexicans.

Broader context

The Swiss-based Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime said in a July 2025 report that laboratories in the region supply international markets amid rising demand for cocaine and methamphetamine in Australia and New Zealand, and that strong legitimate trade flows between South Africa and Australia may also contribute to the growth of this route for methamphetamine trafficking.

Investigation under way

Police said preliminary investigations had established the manufacturing link. They did not provide further details about the ongoing probe in their statement.