R100m drug lab found on Hekpoort farm, five in court

Five accused appeared in the Krugersdorp Magistrates Court this morning, 12 October 2026, on charges of manufacturing and dealing in illicit drugs, the South African Police Service says.

The appearance follows their arrest last week, after a clandestine drug manufacturing laboratory was uncovered at a farm in Hekpoort, near Krugersdorp in Gauteng. Police put the value of the laboratory at an estimated R100 million.

The Hawks say the laboratory was found through a multi-disciplinary operation led by the South African Narcotics Bureau of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, working with SAPS Head Office Crime Intelligence, the Special Task Force and the West Rand K9 unit.

Quantities of Mandrax and ecstasy tablets were discovered at the suspected manufacturing site.

All five accused remain in custody. They will return to the same court on 21 October 2026 for a formal bail application.

The account of the operation and the estimated value of the laboratory come from a South African Police Service media statement issued by the Hawks, which is a summary of the police’s own record rather than the court file in the matter. Enquiries on the statement are directed to Colonel Katlego Mogale.

Source: South African Police Service, https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=71772