Hawks Bust Multimillion-Rand Mandrax Lab in Erasmia, 2 Foreign Nationals Arrested

• The Hawks' South African Narcotics Bureau arrested two foreign nationals following a joint operation with Crime Intelligence Head Office on 9 September 2026
• A clandestine Mandrax laboratory estimated to be worth millions was discovered in Erasmia, west of Pretoria
• The scene remained active as investigators continued their work at the location

GAUTENG — Two foreign nationals have been taken into custody after the Hawks' South African Narcotics Bureau uncovered an illegal Mandrax manufacturing facility in Erasmia, west of Pretoria, on 9 September 2026.

The breakthrough came after Crime Intelligence Head Office gathered and passed information to the Hawks, triggering a joint operation that led directly to the discovery of the clandestine laboratory.

Multimillion-rand drug lab uncovered in Erasmia

Authorities described the facility as a fully operational Mandrax production site, with its estimated value running into the millions of rands. The scale of the operation suggested a significant narcotics network had been active in the area.

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Lieutenant Colonel Singo was confirmed to be en route to the scene as the operation unfolded, with investigators still processing the site at the time of the initial report.

Scene remains active

Law enforcement officials confirmed that the scene in Erasmia remained active while the joint operation and related investigations continued. Further details were expected to be released as the situation developed.

No additional information about the identities of the two arrested foreign nationals or the specific charges they faced had been disclosed at the time of publication.

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Source: Briefly News