Police Bust A Drug Lab, Arrest A Man In Vanderbijlpark

A 46-year-old man is expected to appear at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates Court later today on charges of possession, dealing in and manufacturing of drugs. His arrest follows a joint police operation that led to the discovery of an illegal drug laboratory in Vanderbijlpark on Friday.

Police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk says an intensive investigation by a multi-disciplinary team acted on intelligence regarding a wanted suspect linked to a drug dealing case in De Rust in the Western Cape.

Mandrax and drug manufacturing equipment of over R1 million were seized and a 46-year-old suspect was arrested during this operation. The operation led officers to an address in South Crest, Alberton, where a search of the suspects premises and vehicle resulted in the seizure of an unlicensed firearm and over 7 000 mandrax tablets worth more than R560 000.

Further investigations led the team to a property in Vanderbijlpark, where they uncovered a fully operational drug laboratory. Seized items included a tablet press, various chemicals, drug manufacturing equipment, and a quantity of mandrax powder and mandrax tablets with an estimated value of R500 000. The suspect is expected to appear in court next week on charges of possession, dealing, and manufacturing of drugs, says Van Wyk.