In a national Crime Intelligence driven operation, the SAPS Counter Narcotics team has uncovered a major drug lab in Alexander Drive, in Gillits, KwaZulu-Natal last night at approximately 20:00.The team followed up on intelligence of the manufacture of heroin straws which led them to an elite house in the Gillits area, just outside Pinetown.
The nineteen men arrested are all foreign nationals of ages between 18 and 37 years. They are likely to face charges of possession and dealing in drugs. The entire operation, we estimate, has a street value of over R41 million which consists of R21.4 million worth of heroin straws, R4.1 million of mandrax tablets, R15 million of heroin powder and equipment.
The detection of this lab has come just days after the same team uncovered a major drug distribution centre in Kempton Park which was worth R75 million.
We have no doubt that an operation of this magnitude is the work of a syndicate and we believe that we are making great inroads in bringing these major drug syndicates to its knees.
While we applaud our crime intelligence unit for a job well done, we certainly don't lose sight of enormous role our communities are playing to complement our efforts to minimise the scourge of drugs and the ill effects it has on our societies.
Media enquiries:
Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale
Cell: 082 778 3718
