Tip-offs lead Hawks to R20m Mandrax in lab
The Hawks seized mandrax pills and powder worth an estimated R20m at a Sandton drug lab.[Pictures]
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Johannesburg - The Hawks seized mandrax pills and powder worth an estimated R20 million at a drug lab in Sandhurst, Sandton, on Thursday night.
One suspect was nabbed and his pistol was seized and a second suspect managed to flee on foot in what the Hawks called “a syndicate which could be linked to the drug busts in Dobsonville, Soweto and Pretoria this week”.
Hawks spokesman Lieutenant Robert Netshiunda said they received tip-offs from the public about suspicious activity at the house.
For months, he said, the Hawks monitored the Cleveland Road residence and after enough information had been gathered and while two suspects were at the premises on Thursday at about 10pm, they raided the property. The suspects, he said, had placed a broken gate on the driveway strategically to alert them.
As soon the police entered the yard, the suspects attempted to flee on foot by scaling a high wall but one was apprehended. The other was still at large.
“The suspects would come to do their job at the premises and leave. On Thursday, the two arrived in a white Audi A6 sedan.
“We believe there are more individuals involved in this syndicate because it is a very big operation.”
Netshiunda said there were a lot of similarities between this drug lab and those that were raided in Dobsonville and Pretoria this week.
“We cannot rule out the possibility that this drug lab may be linked to those busted in Dobsonville, Soweto and Pretoria because all three had similar systems of operation and the suspects had the same escape method.”
Two cottages in the Sandhurst house were filled with bags of methaqualone (mandrax in powder form) and pills.
The powder lay on the floor on top of plastic sheets in most rooms and was kept heated with gas heaters.
Tools to mix the drug were found and one room that had a grinding machine was sound-proofed with mattress sponges.
Two gas masks were recovered in the highly sophisticated operation. Dirty pillow cases were found strewn around the floor in another room.
“When the drug was cooked and is still wet, the pillow cases were used to squeeze water out of the concoction before laying it on the floor on plastic sheets to dry it with those gas heaters.”
Netshiunda said their information suggested that the suspects did not stay at the home permanently and were thought not to be the owners of the property.
“We suspect the house isn’t theirs. Once we have confirmed the rightful owner of the home we will take them in for questioning because an owner should know what is happening on their property.”
Netshiunda said the Hawks were grateful for and encouraged citizens to report suspicious activities to keep their communities safe.
The suspect is due to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of manufacturing and distribution of drugs.
rabbie.serumula@inl.co.za
Saturday Star