WESTERN CAPE. – Trent Coetzer (36), Nakedi Makwesi (44), Evan-Lee Mohapi (25), Donell Coetzer (28) and Lyle Johnson (21) appeared in the Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court after a secret drug manufacturing laboratory with an estimated street value of R100 million was discovered on a farm in Hekpoort, near Krugersdorp. The suspects are being tried on charges relating to the manufacture and dealing of illegal drugs.
Magaboke Mohlatlole, SAPS spokesperson, said police and other law enforcement agencies received information about alleged illegal drug manufacturing on the premises. After a search warrant was issued, the farm was searched and the laboratory was discovered. The five suspects were taken into custody at the scene. The operation was led by the Hawks' narcotics bureau, in cooperation with crime intelligence from police headquarters, the special task force and the West Rand K9 unit.
The case was postponed until 21 October for the confirmation of the suspects' residential addresses and the hearing of a formal bail application. All five remain in custody.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
