Ozark! ‘Malawian’ drug kingpin arrested
Police in South Africa have uncovered a R600 million drug lab at Musina, Limpopo
drug kingpin identified as Malawian has been arrested in South Africa for allegedly running an international drug syndicate linked to drugs worth more than K60 billion.
The alleged cartel reportedly included a Mexican drug lord and a Zimbabwean national. The suspect identified as Malawian is believed to be of Nigerian origin.
The suspect was among five people arrested during an intelligence-driven operation on a farm in Musina, Limpopo, on Thursday night.
South African authorities said the suspects include two Mexican nationals, two Zimbabwean nationals and one Malawian national, who is reportedly of Nigerian origin.
The operation was conducted by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, together with SAPS and other law enforcement agencies.
Police seized drugs, laboratory equipment and an undisclosed amount of cash, with the haul estimated to have a street value of R600 million, equivalent to more than K60 billion.
The breakthrough followed a two-month investigation into suspected drug manufacturing activities at the farm.
Authorities said the laboratory was believed to be part of a sophisticated, industrial-scale operation producing dangerous illicit substances for distribution.
Limpopo Hawks Provincial Head Major General Gopz Govender said the seizure had disrupted an entire criminal enterprise.
“We have struck at the machinery behind the drug trade,” Govender said.
The Provincial Commissioner of SAPS Limpopo, Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers, said police would continue targeting people involved in manufacturing and distributing illicit drugs.
The five suspects, aged between 20 and 47, are expected to appear before the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Monday, August 24, where they will face charges relating to the manufacture and possession of illicit drugs.
Additional charges may be added as investigations continue.
The operation is the third clandestine drug laboratory to be shut down in Limpopo.
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