5 Foreign Nationals Arrested Over R1 Million Hydroponic Dagga Lab in De Deur, Gauteng
- Two Jamaicans, two Malawians, and a Lesotho national were arrested at a hydroponic dagga laboratory in De Deur in the Sedibeng district
- The operation involved multiple law enforcement units including Gauteng Organised Crime, West Rand K9 and the Forensic Science Laboratory
- Investigators also found two unlicensed firearms at the property during the search
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GAUTENG — Five foreign nationals are in police custody after authorities uncovered an illegal hydroponic dagga operation in De Deur, a town in the Sedibeng district of Gauteng, with the facility estimated to be worth more than R1 million.
The suspects — two Jamaican nationals, two Malawians and one citizen of Lesotho — were taken in during a targeted operation that brought together several law enforcement agencies. Gauteng Counterfeit Intelligence Narcotics, Gauteng Organised Crime, West Rand K9, the Forensic Science Laboratory, National Cybercrime and a private security provider all took part in the joint search.
Firearms recovered alongside daggaoperation
Beyond the hydroponic dagga setup itself, officers recovered two unlicensed firearms at the premises: a .303 rifle and a 9mm Glock pistol. The discovery of the weapons adds a further dimension to what police are treating as an organised criminal enterprise.
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Charges expected for all five suspects
All five individuals remain in custody. Prosecutors are expected to pursue charges of dealing in dagga as well as possession of unlicensed firearms. No court appearance dates have been confirmed at the time of publication.
Previous drug lab bust in the same area
In similar news, the Gauteng South African Police Service (SAPS) dismantled a sophisticated drug laboratory worth R2.3 million and apprehended four suspects. Acting on actionable intelligence, the Sedibeng Flying Squad and K9 Unit targeted a property in De Deur, Johannesburg, following leads on suspicious activities. Upon arriving at the scene, authorities swiftly moved to secure the area, thoroughly searched the premises and found a fully operational drug manufacturing facility hidden within the property.Four suspects, ranging in age from 37 to 56 years old, were promptly arrested at the scene, including the owner of the property implicated in the illicit activities. All individuals taken into custody will face charges related to drug possession, dealing, and manufacturing under South African law.
Brits dagga lab bust
Briefly News also reported that a search operation resulted in the discovery of an extensive dagga laboratory on a plot in a warehouse in Brits. Police Spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone said that the dagga cultivation warehouse, with several rooms containing dagga plants at various stages. Mokgwabone said the estimated street value of the confiscated dagga was R760 000. Also found on the premises were 18 lights, 11 fans, a battery, two gas bottles, an air conditioner, chemicals, a laptop, and a cell phone, all of which were seized.
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Source: Briefly News
