Sandton Drug Bust: Police Shuts Down R80-Million Douglasdale Lab

Gauteng police, through the efforts of the Organised Crime Unit and PES Flexi, have uncovered a drug lab worth an estimated R80-million in Douglasdale, Sandton.

The operation, which took place on Thursday, 22 August 2024, led to the seizure of drugs, processing machinery, and other illegal items.
This bust marks a major step forward in the fight against drug trafficking in the province.
The breakthrough came after weeks of meticulous surveillance and monitoring by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
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Suspicious activities had been observed at a plot in Douglasdale, a normally quiet suburb in Sandton. Acting on this intelligence, the SAPS secured a search warrant and, on Thursday morning, raided the premises.

What they found confirmed their suspicions. Inside the property, police discovered a fully operational drug manufacturing lab. The site was equipped with chemicals used in drug production, sophisticated machinery for processing, and large quantities of finished narcotics ready for distribution. The estimated street value of the drugs and equipment found is a staggering R80-million.

Drug Lab — This alarming trend highlights the growing sophistication and scale of drug manufacturing operations in the region, and the increasing challenge faced by law enforcement in combating these criminal enterprises. Image: South African Police Service (SAPS)

In addition to the drugs, the police also uncovered a cache of illegal weapons. Among the items seized were two unlicensed firearms, ammunition for high-calibre firearms, pellet guns, and replica firearms.

During the raid, two illegal immigrants who were found on the premises were arrested. The suspects are believed to have been involved in the manufacturing and distribution of the drugs. They now face a series of serious charges, including the manufacturing of drugs, possession of unlicensed firearms, and possession of ammunition. The arrested individuals will appear before the local Magistrate’s Court in due course to face these charges.

The discovery of this drug lab is part of a broader pattern of illegal drug activity in Gauteng. Over the last five months, police have uncovered more than ten drug labs across the province. Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, who has been at the forefront of these operations, commended his team for their dedication and effectiveness.

This is evidence enough that we are making inroads in identifying and dismantling drug labs in our province. I am proud of my members who have been working with diligence to identify and close down the existing drug labs in our province.

// Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni

The R80-million drug lab bust in Douglasdale is a testament to the effectiveness of the Gauteng police in their ongoing fight against organized crime. With the arrest of the suspects and the seizure of illegal drugs and firearms, law enforcement has struck a significant blow against the drug trade in the province.

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