Five suspects who were arrested at a drug lab in Volksrust, Mpumalanga, are expected to appear in a local magistrate’s court on Monday

On Friday, police made a major breakthrough when they shut down a crystal meth drug lab worth over R350 million.

Four Mexican nationals and one South African were arrested. Two suspects, believed to be Nigerian nationals, managed to flee.

A South African who is understood to be the caretaker of the plot where the drug lab was situated, together with four Mexican nationals, who are believed to be in the country illegally, are expected to make their first court appearance on Monday.

All five suspects were apprehended on Friday evening following an intelligence-driven operation by the police in Mpumalanga.

They are facing possible charges of manufacturing drugs, drug trafficking, and violating the Immigration Act.

#sapsMP Mpumalanga #SAPS dismantled a clandestine crystal methamphetamine laboratory worth an estimated R350 million and arresting five foreign nationals on a farm in Volksrust on Friday, 19 September 2025.

Five foreign nationals from a North American country were arrested,… pic.twitter.com/BuNpOVqqjZ

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 20, 2025

Mpumalanga police uncover crystal meth drug lab