The Bloemfontein police’s continued fight against illicit drugs in the Mangaung Metro has yielded another significant success. Police discovered an illegal drug manufacturing laboratory operating from a private house in Kala Street, Bochabela, and arrested a 40-year-old foreign national.

Lt. Col. Thabo Covane, Free State police spokesperson in the Mangaung Metro, said it followed information received by members of the multidisciplinary police team, who raided the house on Saturday 9 May. They confiscated drugs, equipment used for producing different types of drugs, and foreign currency.

“The Mangaung Metro Crime Combating unit received a tip-off about a possible ‘kitchen drug lab’ operating from a house,” he said.

“A thorough search led to the team seizing 1 515 Mandrax tablets, 0,314 kg of methaqualone powder and 3,977 kg of crystal meth. Members also seized 0,205 kg of Cat, and 12 containers, of 25 litres each, of ethanol used to manufacture illegal alcohol.

“A bag containing various foreign currency notes was also confiscated as evidence.”

The currency include that of Nigeria, Malaysia, the United Arab Emmirates and England.

The value of drugs discovered at the illicit drug lab is estimated at R289 477.

He said the suspect faced charges including possession of drugs, dealing in drugs, manufacturing drugs, and distribution of illegal alcohol. Covane added that the discovery of the laboratory and the arrest formed part of the ongoing Operation Shanela II. The campaign resulted in 803 arrests during the weekend.