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Gauteng Hawks along with the Western Cape Crime Intelligence Unit yesterday seized 330 kilograms of mandrax in an unsuspecting neighbourhood of Dobsonville, Soweto.
The bust comes hardly five weeks after police discovered an estimated R500m worth of cocaine on a farm in Villiersdorp.
Police raided a house that was highly secured with high walls, a steel gate, two garage doors and several door butlers in Thusi Street.
Shocked community members flooded the streets looking for answers and others vowing that they never suspected the occupants could be involved in any shady activities.
Police officers raided the house earlier in the morning after responding to a tip-off, bringing a throng of journalists with them.
Police arrested one male at the premises while two other female suspects were arrested at a separate location.
Discovered on the scene were manufacturing machines, stacks of mandrax, labour tools, hand gloves, buckets and other unverified powder chemicals that were yet to be processed and tested.
Photojournalists were granted a few minutes inside the make shift “lab” after police warned of lethal chemicals which could result in health fatalities if inhaled for extended periods of time.
Head of Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Prince Mokotedi said although officials could not yet determine the value of the drugs, the bust was a huge victory for law enforcement.
“The operation here was elaborate...(it is) is a victory for the police, Hawks and other crime intelligence forces.”
Police Minister, Fikile Mbalula told reporters that unlike bad cops who often help criminals to succeed, there were good cops who were winning the war against drugs, and congratulated all officers who played a role in the operation.
“The police are on the right track and we should keep up the tempo. Salutations to our police officers who worked very hard.
"This is what I mean when I talk about crime intelligence leading operations‚ not some va-va-voom that is untouchable.
"This is real crime intelligence because it’s not easy to detect such operations,” he said proudly.
He added that as the minister he would like to recognise‚ promote and celebrate such kind of police excellence and accredited a multi-disciplinary approach to the successful bust.
The 25-year-old male suspect was taken to the Dobsonville police station for further questioning while the two females whose ages and identities have not been disclosed were detained elsewhere.
Mbalula told reporters that detailed information about the suspects will be divulged after they have gone through the court.
Mokoteli said the suspects will be questioned about the drug kingpins who may also be linked to other labs because they have so far dismantled 25 labs across the country through such operations.
Mbalula added that police were targeting the king pins.
“We don’t want the street sellers. We want the manufacturers and the big bosses. Once we close the labs, we close the supply,” he said.
Members of the community who spoke to City Press on condition of anonymity fearing being targeted by the drug lords said they knew absolutely nothing about the lab and had not suspected anything.
One senior citizen described the suspect as a “grumpy man” who never spoke much but only greeted elders when it pleased him.
Other community members described him as a very kind person who never caused any trouble.
The minister encouraged community members across the country to be “inquisitive and more aware” of their neighbours’ activities.
“We urge all residents to unite and have a cup of coffee with their neighbours once in a while.
"You should know who you are sharing your environment with, and report acts of crime as this will lead to more busts like the one at hand,” he said.
