A MAKESHIFT drug lab in a double-storey mansion operated undetected for two years, churning out large amounts of a down-market drug in the heart of the Pretoria suburb of Waterkloof.
The tranquility of the leafy suburb, home to top politicians and ambassadors where houses are priced in millions of rands, was broken yesterday by heavily armed organised crime unit policeman who scaled the electric fence around the house to swoop on Tik (methamphetamine) manufacturers.
Police surprised two men in blue overalls hard at work allegedly producing the drug and confiscated their equipment and drug worth an estimated street value of over R500000.
By late afternoon, the operation had netted Tik worth an estimated street value of R2million after the duo led police to another house in the up-market and high-security Monument Park complex where more drugs and manufacturing equipment were allegedly found.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said police also found several sculptures believed to be used to conceal the drug when transported.
He said the Hawks unit has been keeping an eye on the Waterkloof drug lab for the past month following a tip-off.
"We have arrested two Nigerians with asylum permits believed to be part of a drug syndicate. One of them took us to the high-security complex where the two stayed and we found more chemicals, manufacturing equipment and drugs," Dlamini said.
According to Dlamini, the suspects had been renting the Waterkloof mansion for about two years. But he would not reveal who owned the property because this formed part of their investigation. The house, which looked as though it had not been cleaned in two years, contained no furniture except for a rickety old supermarket fridge.
The walls and the ceiling in the lounge were stained with smoke from the fumes of burning chemicals. The gate was covered with a grey nylon cloth to keep out prying eyes. The yard was littered with heaps of dry leaves and tree branches floated in the algae-infested swimming pool.
"The chemicals explode occasionally, resulting in the nasty splashes you see on the walls and ceiling," said one officer.
Police believe the chemicals used to manufacture the drug, including acetone and toluene, were measured, mixed in the kitchen and then poured into large glass test tubes and heated on the electric stove before being taken to the pantry for the filtering and drying process of the final product.
The fumes emanating from the cylindrical tubes are so powerful that a few minutes in the room is enough to cause coughing, muscle spasms and dizziness.
Armed police officers standing guard at the gate drew the attention of passers-by in luxury cars, who slowed down to have a look before driving off.
Dlamini said the suspects were charged with the manufacturing and possession of drugs. The spokesperson said the two were expected to appear in the Pretoria magistrate's court tomorrow.
The black BMW X5 and Corsa SUV bakkie found on the premises have been impounded.
Brooklyn Community Policing Forum acting chairperson Dannie Basson said people should start getting to know their neighbours.
Two men arrested for 'manufacturing drugs'
A MAKESHIFT drug lab in a double-storey mansion operated undetected for two years, churning out large amounts of a down-market drug in the heart of the Pretoria suburb of Waterkloof.
The tranquility of the leafy suburb, home to top politicians and ambassadors where houses are priced in millions of rands, was broken yesterday by heavily armed organised crime unit policeman who scaled the electric fence around the house to swoop on Tik (methamphetamine) manufacturers.
Police surprised two men in blue overalls hard at work allegedly producing the drug and confiscated their equipment and drug worth an estimated street value of over R500000.
By late afternoon, the operation had netted Tik worth an estimated street value of R2million after the duo led police to another house in the up-market and high-security Monument Park complex where more drugs and manufacturing equipment were allegedly found.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said police also found several sculptures believed to be used to conceal the drug when transported.
He said the Hawks unit has been keeping an eye on the Waterkloof drug lab for the past month following a tip-off.
"We have arrested two Nigerians with asylum permits believed to be part of a drug syndicate. One of them took us to the high-security complex where the two stayed and we found more chemicals, manufacturing equipment and drugs," Dlamini said.
According to Dlamini, the suspects had been renting the Waterkloof mansion for about two years. But he would not reveal who owned the property because this formed part of their investigation. The house, which looked as though it had not been cleaned in two years, contained no furniture except for a rickety old supermarket fridge.
The walls and the ceiling in the lounge were stained with smoke from the fumes of burning chemicals. The gate was covered with a grey nylon cloth to keep out prying eyes. The yard was littered with heaps of dry leaves and tree branches floated in the algae-infested swimming pool.
"The chemicals explode occasionally, resulting in the nasty splashes you see on the walls and ceiling," said one officer.
Police believe the chemicals used to manufacture the drug, including acetone and toluene, were measured, mixed in the kitchen and then poured into large glass test tubes and heated on the electric stove before being taken to the pantry for the filtering and drying process of the final product.
The fumes emanating from the cylindrical tubes are so powerful that a few minutes in the room is enough to cause coughing, muscle spasms and dizziness.
Armed police officers standing guard at the gate drew the attention of passers-by in luxury cars, who slowed down to have a look before driving off.
Dlamini said the suspects were charged with the manufacturing and possession of drugs. The spokesperson said the two were expected to appear in the Pretoria magistrate's court tomorrow.
The black BMW X5 and Corsa SUV bakkie found on the premises have been impounded.
Brooklyn Community Policing Forum acting chairperson Dannie Basson said people should start getting to know their neighbours.
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