Retired Interpol Ambassador Andy Mashaile says the recent discovery of drug labs in the country show that international cartels have changed their modus operandi.

Mashaile says cartels have shifted from manufacturing drugs in their home countries to now building drug labs in South Africa.

His remarks follow the recent discovery of R350-million drug lab that manufactured crystal meth on a plot in Volksrust in Mpumalanga.

Five Mexicans and a South African were arrested in the operation.

Mashaile says the increase in the number of drug labs in the country is a cause for concern.

“Normally, we would learn of cocaine being dropped in and around our shoreline. Now, we are seeing West Africans being involved, meaning the five North Americans using the transatlantic route into West Africa, West Africa going down to East Africa and from East Africa coming and establishing a base and a camp in South Africa. This is exactly what the Mexicans have done. They have changed their tactics of manufacturing in Mexico and now manufacture in South Africa.”

Police uncover drug laboratory in Mpumalanga: Andy Mashaile weighs in