NORTH WEST. – A 62-year-old man has been arrested by police after an alleged illegal drug laboratory was discovered on a farm in Klipvoorstad near Jericho on Wednesday by police.
According to Col. Anne Magakoe, police spokesperson, community members alerted police to suspected activities and a strong chemical smell coming from the farm. Police officers from Brits's crime intelligence, the Trio task force and Jericho's visible policing unit visited the farm. Three men reportedly fled into the bushes when they noticed the police.
During a search, equipment, chemicals and other material suspected of being used for drug manufacturing were found. Preliminary investigations suggest the property may have been used for the manufacture of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as cat. Police seized various items, including raw materials, chemicals, equipment and a suspected final product. A white Mahindra bakkie allegedly linked to the crime was also seized by police.
Three suspects who fled were not found despite an extensive search. The case has been handed over to the Hawks in Rustenburg for further investigation. The 62-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the Brits magistrate's court today.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
