Hawks bust drug manufacturing lab
The accused, Gerald Perumal, appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrates Court on drug-related charges and will soon appear once more for a formal bail application.
The net is closing in on drug cartels and kingpins in Chatsworth and surrounding areas with the latest arrest involving a 32-year-old man, who was allegedly operating a drug lab. Narcotics amounting to R650, 000 were seized in his Umhlatuzana home, last week.
Acting on information received from Crime Intelligence, a co-ordinated undercover takedown operation was executed in Chatsworth, leading to the arrest of a key syndicate associate.
Earlier on the same day, officers raided a property on Crimby Avenue, Chatsworth, where a suspect (60) was arrested in terms of Section 36. During this arrest, officers seized the following: a pair of two-way radios, 12 cellphones, a DVR system, and various gold jewellery, which would allegedly be pawned for drugs. All items were booked at the Chatsworth SAPS.
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As operations continued, law enforcement teams uncovered a drug manufacturing lab in Umhlatuzana, believed to be a major supplier to dealers in the area. The accused were detained at the scene, including the property owner.
Hawks spokesperson, Lt Col Simphiwe Mhlongo, said that during the search, police recovered suspected crack cocaine powder, mandrax tablets, and equipment used in the manufacturing of crack cocaine, with an estimated street value of R650, 000.
The operation involved a joint multi-disciplinary team including, the Metro Police drug team, tactical support unit, eThekwini Infrastructure task team, trio crimes, special projects, K9, POP, SAPS specialised units, DPCI, and the SARS Customs Dog Unit.
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“Police also confiscated R4, 260 in cash, suspected to be proceeds of crime. Additionally, police confiscated a rifle and a pistol along with 100 live rounds of ammunition. A 32-year-old man was apprehended and charged with dealing in drugs. The seized firearms will be sent for a ballistic test to ascertain if they were used in the commission of any crime in the country,” Lt Col Mhlongo said.
The accused, Gerald Perumal, appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrates Court on drug-related charges and will soon appear once more for a formal bail application. Chairperson of the Bayview Spiritual Crime Prevention Forum, Dr Ronald Veerapen, weighed in on the case amid other rumours.
“The multiple law enforcement agencies that dealt with the drug manufacturing laboratory in Umhlatuzana last week is an eye-opener to our communities as to what vices lie at our doorstep. We complement the SAPS and all law enforcement agencies on this joint endeavour and subsequent arrests. On behalf of the Bayview Spiritual Crime Prevention Forum, we hope that the full might of the law will be meted out to all perpetrators,” he concluded.
