Latest news with #HawksSeriousOrganisedCrimeInvestigation
The South African
18-05-2025
- The South African
Drug dealer nabbed in Mpumalanga... again
A 40-year-old Nigerian national from Bethal, Mpumalanga, has been arrested for allegedly dealing in drugs. His arrest comes as a result of a joint operation between Secunda Crime Intelligence, the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation and the Secunda K9 unit. 'The suspect is currently out on bail on a separate but similar offence of dealing in drugs. He was arrested alongside side 11 other suspects in Bethal in a Hawks Operation 'Dream on', in June 2021', said MP Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Magonseni Nkosi. According to Nkosi, the suspect was out on bail under strict conditions. He said the suspect brazenly ignored the conditions. Hawks received intelligence that the suspect was continuing to deal in drugs. After receiving the information, the Hawks pounced on the suspect. Nkosi said the team proceeded to the suspect's residential place where they found him with a 34-year-old companion. The companion did not have any legal documentation granting them permission to be in South Africa. Additionally they found drugs in the house, according to Nkosi. He said, 'The suspect was found in possession of seven plastic bags of substances believed to be crystal meth, two plastic bags of substances believed to be Khat as well as close to R10 000 in cash' The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, has vowed that a thorough investigation will be conducted. 'We are not only interested in getting drugs off the streets but our main focus is on the origin of drugs. Once we deal with manufacturers, we will have achieved our mission of rooting out drug related activities in the province,' concluded the General. Both suspects will be appearing tomorrow, 19 May 2025, before Bethal Magistrate's Court. They will be appearing on charges of dealing in drugs and Contravention of the Immigration Act. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
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The Citizen
15-05-2025
- The Citizen
Hawks find third hidden drug lab in Standerton crackdown [PICS]
A third underground lab has been uncovered in Standerton, revealing machinery and chemicals believed to be used in drug production. Hawks seize more drug equipment and hold eight suspects after uncovering a third lab in Standerton. Picture: Supplied. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) uncovered a third clandestine laboratory in Standerton, Mpumalanga, just one month after two laboratories and a warehouse containing chemicals used for drug manufacturing were also discovered in the town. Last month, two labs were discovered on Mahonie Street and Rooikopen farm, identified as a warehouse containing chemicals believed to be used in drug manufacturing. The authorities kept all three sites as active crime scenes until a cleaning company, supported by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Hawks Supply Chain Management, and Standerton police, cleaned and purified the areas. Underground lab entrance found under containers Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said that before the cleaning process could start, the Hawks received information that there was an entrance to an underground laboratory underneath one of the containers. 'The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation followed up the clues whereby the underground entrance was identified,' Nkosi said. Hawks seize more drug equipment and hold eight suspects after uncovering a third lab in Standerton. Picture: Supplied. ALSO READ: Foreigners arrested for selling prohibited items and drug trafficking 'Machinery believed to be used in the illegal manufacturing of drugs, drums, and plastic containers filled with substances was recovered.' The Hawks cannot confirm the value of the retrieved chemicals and equipment until they conduct further investigation. Police are currently guarding the scene to allow the Forensic Science Laboratory (Chemistry) to analyse the recovered machinery and substances. Police guarding scene Major General Nico Gerber, the head of the Mpumalanga provincial Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, applauded members for following up on the information and uncovering further drug consignments. Hawks seize more drug equipment and hold eight suspects after uncovering a third lab in Standerton. Picture: Supplied. 'The Hawks will leave no stone uncovered to dismantle the enterprise and the associated structures,' Nkosi said. ALSO READ: I'm a prisoner in my own home' – Living next door to an alleged drug den When the first laboratory was found, six Mozambican suspects, aged 19 to 60, were arrested after they were found with chemicals and machinery worth about R20 million. When the Hawks discovered the second lab, they arrested two South Africans. Nkosi confirmed that all eight suspects remain behind bars following their arrests. In April 2025, law enforcement officials also seized eleven vehicles—including high-performance luxury cars—and millions of rands.
The Citizen
15-05-2025
- The Citizen
Hawks uncover another underground drug lab on Standerton farm
Police uncovered another drug lab on Rooikoppen farm, Standerton, yesterday. According to Ridge Times, this comes just over a month after two clandestine laboratories in Mahonie Street and Rooikoppen farm, as well as a warehouse with chemicals believed to be used in drug manufacturing, were found. According to Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, these three sites remained active crime scenes until a cleaning company was appointed through the assistance of the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Hawks Supply Chain Management, and Standerton SAPS to clean and purify the areas. 'The Hawks Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation [Unit] received information before the cleaning process could commence that underneath one of the containers, there was an entrance to the underground laboratory. 'The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation followed up the clues and identified the underground entrance.' Nkosi says machinery believed to be used in the illegal manufacturing of drugs, drums, and plastic containers filled with substances were recovered. The Hawks cannot confirm the value of the recovered equipment and chemicals, pending further investigation. 'Currently, the scene is under police guard to allow the Forensic Science Laboratory to analyse the recovered machinery and substances,' adds Nkosi. Two South African nationals and six Mozambican nationals remain behind bars following their arrest during the first two recoveries. Eleven vehicles, including high-performance luxury vehicles, and millions of rands were seized in April. Mpumalanga Hawks head Major General Nico Gerber applauded members for following up on the information and uncovering further drug consignments. He says the Hawks will leave no stone unturned in dismantling the enterprise and its associated structures. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- The Citizen
Police find underground drug lab in Standerton
Police uncovered another drug lab in Rooikoppen farm, Standerton, today, May 14. This comes just over a month after two clandestine laboratories in Mahonie Street and Rooikoppen farm, as well as a warehouse with chemicals believed to be used in manufacturing of drugs were found. According to the Mpumalanga spokesman for the Hawks, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, these three sites were all active crime scenes until the service of the cleaning company was appointed through the assistance of the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Hawks Supply Chain Management and Standerton SAPS to clean and purify the areas. 'The Hawks Secunda based Serious Organised Crime Investigation received information before the cleaning process could commence that underneath one of the containers, there was an entrance to the underground laboratory. 'The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation followed up the clues and identified the underground entrance.' Nkosi said machinery believed to be used in the illegal manufacturing of drugs, drums, and plastic containers filled with substances were recovered. The Hawks can not confirm the value of the recovered equipment and chemicals pending further investigation. 'Currently, the scene is under police guard to allow the Forensic Science Laboratory (Chemistry) to analyse the recovered machinery and substances,' said Nkosi. Two South African nationals and six Mozambican nationals are still behind bars following their arrest on the first two recoveries. Eleven vehicles, including high-performance luxury vehicles and millions of Rands, were seized in April. The Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, applauded members for following up on the information and uncovering further drug consignments. The Hawks will leave no stone uncovered to dismantle the enterprise and the associated structures. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
