Three Mexican nationals and two South Africans charged with manufacturing and dealing in drugs are set to apply for bail at the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court today. The accused, Ruban Vidan, Gonzalez Jorge Partida, Gutierrez Lopez Alejandro, Frederick Botha, and Simphiwe Khumalo, were arrested following the discovery of an illicit drug laboratory at Thaba Monate farm in Groblersdal two weeks ago.
The Hawks discovered a laboratory, described as the largest ever found in South Africa, used for secretly producing crystal meth worth over R2 billion. The lab was located in dense bushland at the foot of a mountain, several kilometers outside Dennilton.
Limpopo police authorities note that the Sekhukhune area has become a hotspot for illegal drug operations. Four years ago, another drug manufacturing lab was found at a game lodge near Marble Hall, 28 kilometers from the latest bust.
