Five suspects remanded after R600 million drug lab bust in Musina

Five suspects facing charges linked to the manufacture and possession of illicit drugs will remain in custody until Friday after their first appearance in the Musina Magistrate’s Court.

Five foreign nationals aged between 20 and 47 have been remanded in custody after appearing in the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection with the alleged R600 million drug laboratory uncovered in Musina, Limpopo.

The accused are two Mexican nationals - Verdogo Marioano Barrera, 48, and Leon Castilo Juan, 39 - and three Zimbabwean nationals: Nyamukanga Tichaona Roy, 23, Mabayi Lee, 35, and 20-year-old Nyamukanga Tanaka Royce.

The counts levelled against them include the illegal manufacture of a scheduled substance, drug dealing, drug possession, money laundering, and violations under the Immigration Act.

They appeared in court on Monday and are due to appear again on Friday, August 28.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Avele Fumba said the case was postponed to Friday to allow authorities to secure the services of an interpreter.

“All five accused were remanded in custody until their next court appearance,” he said.

The arrests follow an intelligence-driven operation late Thursday, August 20, which uncovered a suspected clandestine drug laboratory on a farm in Musina in the Vhembe District.

The operation was conducted by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), in collaboration with the South African Police Service, the South African Narcotics Bureau head office, Crime Intelligence head office, Hawks Limpopo, the Special Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Agency and Homeland Security.

Five suspects were arrested, while drugs and laboratory equipment with an estimated street value of R600 million, as well as an undisclosed amount of cash, were seized, Fumba said.

“This is the third clandestine drug laboratory to be shut down in Limpopo,” he said.

The operation followed a two-month intensive investigation into suspected drug manufacturing activities at the farm.

Fumba said the discovery had exposed an alleged sophisticated, industrial-scale operation believed to have been established to manufacture dangerous illicit substances for distribution.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major-General Advocate Gopz Govender, said the operation sent a clear warning to organised criminal networks.