The Hawks in Mpumalanga have started the process of shutting down a multi-million-rand drug laboratory discovered in Volkrust a month ago.
Police uncovered the secret drug laboratory after receiving information about the unpleasant smell in the area on 19 September 2025.
Mpumalanga Hawks spokesman Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said the shutdown is expected to be finished on Friday, 31 October.
The major discovery led to the arrest of five Mexican nationals: Isabel Antonio Quintero Corrales (36), Hector Manuel Valenzuela Ontiveros (36), Luis Alberto Osorio Viscarra (31), Jose Omar Molina Jimenez (36) and Nicanor Molina Jimenez (48), as well as a 61-year-old South African, Bafana Samson Magubane, who was granted R50 000 bail.
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"As part of the investigation, the Hawks started the process of shutting down and cleaning the premises used in the illegal manufacturing of drugs. The area was declared to be a health hazard to the public and environment with great possibilities of causing fires due to chemical reaction. It's been under police guard from the day of the operation until this day as the shutdown started.
"All chemicals and equipment used during the illegal activities will be disposed of. The disposal will bring a complete shutdown to the illegal operation that poses danger to citizens," said Nkosi.
Investigations are still ongoing in the matter.
