This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers Police in Standerton in Mpumalanga discovered a second clandestine drug laboratory just four days after six Mozambican nationals were arrested in town Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi says that on Tuesday were arrested after a multi-disciplinary team pounced on another property He says police recovered a pressing machine worth an estimated R2 million and 35 buckets filled with powder ready to be pressed into tablets Nkosi says the powder is worth an estimated R26 million He says they also found seven unlocked vehicles on the premises The vehicles were confiscated for further investigation The two men will appear in the Standerton Magistrates Court on Wednesday an exclusive podcast on the life of Vicki Terblanche Dive into the expansive world of motoring with Naresh Maharaj Join Mark Marshall as he shares his extraordinary encounters with everything from bees to reptiles i who were taken into custody for drug production are scheduled to appear at Standerton Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga soon And this was four days after six Mozambican nationals were arrested in Standerton for similar activities According to the Hawks’ Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation they recovered powder estimated at R26-million while the pressing machine is estimated at R2-million and it would be pressed into tablets using the pressing machine Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said the task was to clamp down on two clandestine laboratories within a week And they monitored the origin of drugs in Standerton after numerous cases of possession of drugs were reported “Seven unlocked vehicles were found on the premises Investigation on these vehicles continues,” said Magonseni Magonseni said these things were discovered by the Hawks’ Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation Forensic Science Laboratory (Chemistry) and a private security company police in Gauteng arrested two Taiwanese nationals who were suspected to be the owners of an illicit alcohol manufacturing plant in Westonaria Police discovered illicit liquor at the manufacturing plant The illicit liquor was already packaged for distribution Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said four undocumented immigrants employed by the suspects raised the alarm They went to the local police station to report the illegal activities taking place at their workplace they found that illicit and fake alcohol was being manufactured some of which were branded with known alcohol brands “Police also found chemicals that are suspected to be used during the manufacturing process,” said Masondo Some of the employees told police that they were held against their will They claimed to be subjected to excessive working hours under unhealthy conditions Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Tel: +27 11 268 6300 Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms & conditions and privacy policy and the Standerton Crime Intelligence on 4 April.“A search warrant was obtained and large quantities of liquid chemicals in drums It was confirmed that the building was used as a storage facility for illicit drug producing material,” the Minister said.Three Mozambican nationals found at the scene were arrested; a fourth suspect who is also a Mozambican national was also arrested. “All these individuals are illegal immigrants where a clandestine drug lab was discovered and a Mozambican couple was arrested - parents to one of the suspects arrested prior these individuals do not have the requisite papers to be in South Africa,” he said.The combined value of items found was around R20 million.All six suspects appearance in the Standerton Magistrate court on Monday intelligence about two additional laboratories in the area were received Search warrants were applied for and executed on 8 April 2025.“The Investigation team comprising of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI/Hawks) Secunda SANEB [South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau] head office and private security visited a farm and discovered it was empty and then proceeded to a residential address.  a disassembled machine worth over R2 million petrol generator and 20 litre buckets full of finished powder products valued at over R28 million were found,” said the Minister.Two South African males were arrested while a third suspect They appeared in the Standerton Magistrates Court on 10 April 2025.Several luxury vehicles were seized including a Mercedes Benz and an amount of R3 689 200 was found in the boot of the Mercedes Benz A white Isuzu van was found at another address and is in police custody.“All suspects have since appeared in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court; one suspect (South African) has been released but investigations are still underway The eight suspects who are in custody will appear again for a formal bail hearing on the 25th of April 2025.This whole operation is an indication that we need to increase our law enforcement capacity in order to achieve such results and more This is one aspect which we as the SAPS [South African Police Service] are focused on,” the Minister explained.He added that the police have prioritised tackling the drug trade and is looking at dismantling the entire value chain the SAPS have uncovered several clandestine drug laboratories leading to significant seizures of illicit substances and manufacturing equipment.”Among some of the drug busts made by police previously include the dismantling of a laboratory valued at R100 million was dismantled in Rietfontein resulting in the arrest of a 39-year-old Mexican national in November last year.In December 2024 a drug bust valued at R4.5 million was executed uncovering machines used for drug production though no suspects were found at the scene in Kibler Park Johannesburg.“The total estimated street value of the 800 kilograms of drugs that were destroyed on 7 March 2025 is in excess of R340 million various types of drugs worth R5.2 billion have been destroyed.“As the SAPS we have a constitutional duty to ensure that all South Africans are and feel safe Drugs have a negative impact on our communities they destroy young lives and the health of those who consume them,” he said.-SAnews.gov.za  General Enquiries newsfiles@gcis.gov.za Tel: 012 473 0213Editor Roze Britz roze@gcis.gov.za News Editor Janine Arcangeli janine@gcis.gov.zaEditor-in-Chief Zanele Mngadizanelemngadi@gcis.gov.za  Home | South Africa The Hawks have uncovered a secret drug lab worth over R20 million in the Standerton industrial area in Mpumalanga the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation confirmed the discovery of the lab aged between 19 and 60 – all believed to be Mozambican nationals – were arrested at a warehouse was also taken into custody following further investigations The bust was carried out by the Hawks’ Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit is reported to be present on the scene for further investigation A BMW X5 that belongs to one of the suspects was also seized for further investigation The Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation “There have been a number of drug-related cases reported in Standerton Hawks members were tasked to monitor and expand our network to focus on drug-related cases and this seizure is the result of commitment and hard work The collaboration between different stakeholders led to the success,” said the Gerber #sapsHAWKS Mpumalanga: Six suspects aged between 19 and 60 were arrested when the Hawks Secunda based Serious Organised Crime Investigation raided a warehouse in Standerton industrial area on 04 April 2025 where chemicals and machinery believed to be used in manufacturing of… pic.twitter.com/BXCRVZMM7S — SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) April 5, 2025 Police have arrested eight suspects in Standerton after they shutdown three clandestine drug labs at separate locations An intelligence driven operation led them to the locations following a tip off that drugs were being manufactured at a farm Eleven luxury vehicles were also seized during the raid as well R3.6 million in cash 8 suspects have been arrested following the shutdown of a clandestine drug lab in Standerton, Mpumalanga. 11 luxury vehicles seized including a Range Rover Luma. R3.6 mill in cash found in the boot of a Mercedes Benz. Of the 8 arrested, 6 are Mozambican, two are Mzantsi citizens pic.twitter.com/mMNFZHIl7L — Athlenda Mathe (@AthlendaM) April 13, 2025 “This investigation came as a result of a complaint of suspicious activity that commenced some time ago and then a search warrant was obtained and when they pounced on these establishments because it is a third establishment that they are covering They then found a lot of chemicals in drums and powder and chemicals in sacks machinery and equipment and it was confirmed that all the locations were sites were actually crime scenes.” Six people, arrested for alleged manufacturing and dealing in illicit drugs are expected to appear at the Standerton Court in Mpumalanga on Monday The Hawks pounced on the suspects at a warehouse and a farm in the area Chemicals and machinery found at both locations were confiscated The value of the recovered substances and machinery is estimated to be R20 million Mpumalanga Hawks Head Nico Gerber says a number of drug-related cases have been reported in Standerton And when they pounced on these establishments because this is a third establishment that we are uncovering they then found a lot of chemicals and drums And it was confirmed that all three locations or sites were actually crime scenes." Standerton, Mpumalanga: inspection of the various premises where clandestine drug laboratories were discovered. The first premises is a building which was being used as a storage facility for drug producing equipment @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/c3vfMb9Dwq Sections Home » Multimedia Compiled by Shaun Holland The Citizen’s Multimedia Editor Michel Bega took a trip to Standerton in Mpumalanga to monitor the Grootdraai Dam level This came after two of the dam’s sluice gates were opened earlier than planned due to substantial rainfall in the area Standerton is a town that was formed on the banks of the Vaal River and this strategic release is expected to provide much-needed relief to the Vaal Dam The water shortage situation has affected many communities in Gauteng South Africa’s most populated province While the Grootdraai Dam’s overflow provides immediate relief continued monitoring of dam levels remains essential for water security in the region South Africans are urged to use water wisely NOW READ: Vaal Dam levels drop over festive season: Latest update on SA’s popular dams JOHANNESBURG - Mpumalanga police have seized drugs and equipment worth more than R20 million during a recent drug raid in Standerton, in Mpumalanga. Six suspects were arrested during the raid, which took place on Friday. The first three suspects were caught in one warehouse in the area with chemicals suspected to be drugs. The Hawks Organised Crime Investigation Unit and K9 teams moved to another nearby farm, where chemicals and machinery believed to be used in manufacturing of drugs were also found. Police spokesperson Mangonseni Nkosi said several drug hotspot zones in the area have been identified, and law enforcement is working to apprehend those involved in illicit drug activities. “Further investigation led police to the suspected employer of the suspects who was later arrested. Further investigations were conducted whereby the team advanced to a farm nearby where a clandestine laboratory was found with material, chemicals, and machinery that is worth more than R20 million. Two other suspects, both Mozambican nationals, were arrested on the scene.” In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking the Hawks have uncovered a secret drug lab valued at over R20 million in Standerton resulted in the arrest of six Mozambican nationals and their employer highlighting a major victory for law enforcement in the region The operation took place in the Standerton industrial area where the Hawks’ Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit discovered a warehouse containing a fully operational drug lab Packed with chemicals and equipment used to manufacture illicit substances the lab’s estimated worth exceeds R20 million six suspects—all Mozambican nationals aged between 19 and 60—were apprehended at the scene suggesting that authorities may have disrupted a key leadership figure in the operation a BMW X5 belonging to one of the suspects was seized This luxury vehicle is now under investigation to determine its involvement in the crime or its potential eligibility for asset forfeiture a common practice in cases involving proceeds of illegal activities The Forensic Science Laboratory’s Chemistry Section was promptly deployed to the scene to assist with the investigation Their expertise is critical in analyzing the chemicals and equipment found in the lab which will help identify the types of drugs being produced and strengthen the case against the suspects The bust comes amid growing concerns about drug-related crime in Standerton the Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (commonly known as the Hawks) emphasized the proactive efforts of his team “There have been a number of drug-related cases reported in Standerton Hawks members were tasked to monitor and expand our network to focus on drug-related cases,” Gerber stated He credited the operation’s success to the team’s commitment and hard work noting that collaboration between various stakeholders played a pivotal role in achieving this outcome 🔴 Central News Weekly Edition | Issue 99 🔴 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Headline: “Edgar Legoale Soccer Schools Programme set to launch https://centralnews.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Central-News-Issue-099.pdf https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za For Business Related:business@centralnews.co.za Newsroom:Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za Office Administrator:admin@centralnews.co.za Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin and website in this browser for the next time I comment A hippopotamus was spotted near Jonkersdam in the Standerton area yesterday Ridge Times reports that according to Neil Langenhoven from Rhino Lodge situated along the R50 between Leandra and Standerton Langenhoven advises people to leave the animal alone but it is best to turn around and walk away,” he says According to Kasselman Security Services (KSS) in Standerton a witness saw the hippo in a field near Jonkersdam yesterday morning “The hippopotamus must have gotten out due to heavy rainfall in the area,” states Jandré Kasselman of KSS efforts are being made to safely locate and return the hippopotamus to the lodge.” KSS is monitoring the area with a drone in search of the animal this was not the first time a hippo was roaming the area Another hippo was found near the Maizefield Silos a few years ago Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel Read original story on www.citizen.co.za The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit based in Secunda arrested several people during a raid on a warehouse in Standerton yesterday Ridge Times reports the warehouse in Standerton’s industrial area contained a number of chemicals used in the manufacturing of drugs The investigation led police to the supposed employer of the people found in the warehouse with officers from Crime Intelligence and the K9 unit where more chemicals and machinery believed to be used in the manufacturing of drugs were found Another two suspects were arrested on the farm According to the spokesperson for the Hawks in Mpumalanga the value of the recovered substances and machinery is estimated at R20m The exact figure will be available after proper analysis A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory was on the scene for further investigation The collaboration between different stakeholders led to the success,” said the general Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal Read original story on www.citizen.co.za A businesswoman from Standerton’s body was found in her car in Garsfontein the owner of the Pick n Pay in the Mpumalanga town was overpowered in her home in Standerton last night She was apparently working at the kitchen table when she was attacked “Road cameras detected the victim’s Range Rover exiting Standerton at about 20:30,” says Robberts A carpet was reported missing from the TV room Robberts adds that police in Garsfontein stated Lea’s body was found wrapped in a carpet two laptops and her cellphone were also found in the car,” says Robberts the police have already arrested a suspect Read original story on www.citizen.co.za