R3.6m cash seized, 9 arrested in Standerton drug raid

This was revealed by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on Sunday.

Mchunu, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) Secunda, Standerton K9, Standerton Crime Intelligence, and private law enforcement visited the area after a successful sting by law enforcement agents from the Hawks.

Addressing the media, Mchunu said luxury vehicles were seized and some Mozambican and South African nationals were arrested.

“Three Mozambican nationals found at the scene were arrested; a fourth suspect (Mozambican national), managing the place was subsequently located and arrested. All these individuals are illegal immigrants.

“Further investigation led us to a farm, where a clandestine drug lab was discovered, and a Mozambican couple was arrested – parents to one of the suspects arrested prior. Again, these individuals do not have the requisite papers to be in South Africa – they too are illegal immigrants.”

The crime intelligence-driven operation came as a result of a complaint of suspicious activity that started earlier this month.

Mchunu added that large quantities of liquid chemicals in drums, powder chemicals in sacks, machinery, and equipment were found.

“It was confirmed that the building was used as a storage facility for illicit drug-producing material. A tablet pressing machine, a disassembled machine worth over R2 million, a petrol generator, and 20-litre buckets full of finished powder products valued at over R28 million were found in the house.

Six suspects had their first appearance in the Standerton Magistrate court on Monday 7 April.

“On Monday, 7th of April 2025, intelligence about two additional laboratories in the area was received. Search warrants were applied for and executed on the 8th of April 2025.

“Two South African males (African) and (White) were arrested. A third suspect, a South African citizen, handed himself in. The three suspects appeared in the Standerton Magistrates Court on the 10th of April 2025,” the Minister said. 

Mchunu adds that a sum of R3 million was found in one of the three cars that were seized.

“Several luxury vehicles were seized, including a Mercedes Benz, an amount of R 3 689 200.00 was found in the boot of the Mercedes Benz. A white Isuzu van was found at another address and is in police custody.

“We started at the police station and saw these luxury cars which are worth millions of rands…I saw the pictures of the R3 million at the same time. I had to rub my eyes… R3 million just in the boot of a car. This shows that these people were really in business and were getting a lot of money from their illegal operations.”

All suspects have since appeared in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court; one suspect (South African) has been released but investigations are still underway.

The suspects who are in custody are due to appear before the Standerton Magistrates Court for a formal bail hearing on the 25th of April.

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