Gauteng police raided a property in De Deur in the Sedibeng District that had been converted into a hydroponic dagga laboratory.[1][2][3] Five foreign nationals were arrested at the property during the police operation.[1][4][5][2] Two of the five people arrested were Jamaican nationals.[1][2] The other people arrested were from Malawi and Lesotho.[1][2]

Police found and seized hydroponic dagga valued at approximately R1-million at the property.[1][4][5][2][6] Officers also seized two firearms at the property alongside the dagga.[1][2]

The five arrested people were expected to appear before the Meyerton Magistrates Court shortly after the raid.[1][4][5][2][6][3]

The five comprised two Jamaican nationals, two Malawian nationals and one Lesotho national.[4][5][6][3] Police recovered a 303 rifle and a 9mm Glock pistol during the operation.[4][5][6][3] The suspects face charges relating to contravention of Sections 3 and 5(b) of the Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992.[4][5][6][3] Two of the five suspects face additional charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.[4][5][6]

The five were arrested on Thursday, August 27, following an intelligence-driven operation in De Deur, Sedibeng District.[5][6] The operation was conducted by Gauteng Counter-Intelligence Narcotics, Gauteng Organised Crime, West Rand K9, the Forensic Science Laboratory, National Cybercrime and private security companies.[5][6]

Prosecutors were expected to pursue charges of dealing in dagga, while no court appearance date had been confirmed.[2] Briefly names the unit Gauteng Counterfeit Intelligence Narcotics among those that took part in the search.[2]

The five suspects were aged between 29 and 68, police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said.[6]