South African Police Bust $20M Crystal Meth Lab, Arrest Five Foreign Nationals

South African police have successfully dismantled a crystal methamphetamine laboratory worth approximately $20 million in Mpumalanga province after receiving an anonymous tip about suspicious chemical odors. The raid, part of Operation Shanela 2, resulted in the arrest of six suspects, including five foreign nationals from a North American country who were found to be in the country illegally, and a South African farm caretaker; two other suspects believed to be from West Africa escaped. Authorities seized large quantities of precursor chemicals, drug-manufacturing equipment, crystal meth stored in lunch boxes and buckets hidden in freezers, as well as weapons and ammunition. The suspects face charges under the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act and the Immigration Act, with investigations now being led by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (the Hawks). Officials highlighted the success as a demonstration of effective intelligence-driven policing and community cooperation, emphasizing ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and protect local communities. South Africa's geographic position continues to make it a significant transit point and consumer market for illicit drugs, underscoring the importance of continued vigilance and enforcement.