Five people arrested during a raid on an alleged drug manufacturing operation at a farm in Musina, Limpopo, are expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The suspects were arrested on Friday during a multidisciplinary operation targeting an alleged drug syndicate. They face charges of manufacturing and possessing illicit drugs.
The group includes two Mexican nationals, two Zimbabwean nationals and a Malawian citizen.
Police say the suspects were caught in the process of manufacturing crystal methamphetamine at the farm. The drugs are estimated to have a street value of more than R600 million.
An undisclosed amount of cash was also seized during the operation.
The intelligence-led investigation was launched about two months ago following a tip-off from members of the local community.
The operation involved the Hawks, Crime Intelligence, the Special Task Force, the South African Narcotics Bureau and other law enforcement agencies.
The farm has since been cordoned off while investigations continue. Police are also searching for additional suspects believed to be linked to the alleged drug syndicate.
Meanwhile, two other suspects are due to appear in the Phalala Magistrate’s Court after they were arrested at the Groblersbrug border post in possession of illicit cigarettes.
The cigarettes are estimated to be worth R2 million.