A 22-year-old Malawian national has been arrested after Gauteng police uncovered a second hydroponic dagga laboratory in De Deur (Midvaal) during an intelligence-driven operation.
The operation was conducted on Tuesday, 8 September, at Hartzenbergfontein, where police discovered an indoor cannabis cultivation facility with an estimated street value of about R1.5 million.
The suspect has been charged with contravening Sections 3 and 5(b) of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992, as well as Section 49 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.
He is expected to appear in the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court. Police said investigations are continuing.
The latest arrest follows another intelligence-led operation in De Deur on Thursday, 27 August, where police dismantled a hydroponic dagga laboratory valued at more than R1 million.
During that raid, officers arrested five suspects aged between 29 and 68 and seized a .303 rifle and a 9mm Glock pistol.
Those suspects are facing charges related to the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act. Two of the accused also face additional charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Police said the five suspects include two Jamaican nationals, two Malawian nationals and one Lesotho national.
Gauteng police said the successive operations form part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and other organised criminal activities across the province.
