Five foreign nationals arrested after R1m dagga lab uncovered

Gauteng police arrested five suspects and uncovered a hydroponic dagga laboratory valued at more than R1 million during an intelligence-driven operation in De Deur, Sedibeng District, on Thursday, 27 August 2026.

The suspects, aged between 29 and 68, include two Jamaican nationals, two Malawian nationals and one Lesotho national.

Police also seized a .303 rifle and a 9mm Glock pistol during the operation.

The suspects face charges under Sections 3 and 5(b) of the Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992. Two of them also face charges of possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Meyerton Magistrate’s Court soon.

Police said investigations are continuing.

R200 000 cash and thousands of rounds of ammunition seized in KZN

In an unrelated operation in KwaZulu-Natal, Crime Prevention officers arrested a 45-year-old man after finding firearms, ammunition, drugs and more than R200 000 in cash at his residence in Effingham, Greenwood Park, on Thursday.

Officers were conducting routine crime prevention duties when they received information that a man was allegedly selling drugs.

The officers followed up on the tip-off and went to the identified address, where they found the suspect inside the house.

A subsequent search uncovered a rifle, a shotgun and three handguns, along with 3 196 rounds of ammunition of various calibres.

Police said 1 100 of the rounds were for an AK-47 assault rifle.

Officers also seized Mandrax tablets, cocaine and cash exceeding R200 000.

Police arrested the suspect and charged him with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as possession of and dealing in drugs.

He is expected to appear in court soon.

Police praise officers for acting on community tip-off

KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Phumelele Makoba praised the Crime Prevention officers for acting swiftly after receiving information from the community.

Makoba said effective crime prevention depends on strong networks of informers who alert police to criminal activity.

She also stressed the importance of police earning the trust of communities by acting decisively on information provided by residents.

“We thank our Crime Prevention officers for not just driving around the streets but paying attention to the concerns of the communities that we serve and acting on their concerns,” Makoba said.

She added that removing five firearms from circulation could help prevent violent crimes committed with those weapons.