Crime expert bemoans rise in drug trafficking in Mzansi

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) has raised the alarm over the rising drug trading within the country.

The ISS’ organised crime expert, Martin Ewi, says, over the past five years, South Africa has become one of the hubs for transnational drug trafficking.

He was reacting to the court appearance of five men, three Mexican nationals and two South Africans, who are linked to the R2 billion drug bust at the Thabamonate farm in Groblersdal, Limpopo.

The suspects, including the farm owner, were arrested last week after a joint team of Limpopo Hawks and police officers pounced on them at their alleged lab.

The suspects Gonzales Jorge (51), Gutierrez Lopes (43), Simphiwe Khumalo (35), Frederick Botha (67), and Ruben Vidal Rodriguez (44) are facing charges of the manufacturing, dealing and possession of illicit drugs.

Four of the suspects appeared in court on Monday, while their fifth co-accused appeared yesterday.

The matter was postponed to next week Thursday for a formal bail application.

The Hawks have, so far this year, uncovered 10 drug labs and made 34 arrests.

Ewi says protecting the borders is not enough to combat the crime.

According to recent data by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, South Africa is one of the largest meth markets in the world and a transit location for illicit drugs.

During the bust, SAPS members also found chemicals, such as acetone, that are used to manufacture the drug.

Limpopo NPA spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi, says the accused will remain in custody.

That drug bust in Groblersdal is crazy hey. 😳🙆🏾‍♂️

— Ash (@AshBoogiie) July 22, 2024

Bathong, Mexican drug dealers in Groblersdal? I hope some South African scriptwriter was inspired by this and is working on a ‘Narcos: South Africa’ proposal for Netflix 😭 https://t.co/iGihNggBJp

— 𝙇𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙜𝙤 ⚛︎ (@lesegokarim) July 23, 2024

The R2 billion drug lab story coming out of Groblersdal has gripped me. Industrial level type set-up, and the characters involved, Frederick Botha, Simphiwe and two Mexican chaps Gonzales and Gutierrez. The farm belongs to Fred, I’m really hoping they called him El Jefe Frikkie🤣

— Jordan Griffiths (@JordiGriff) July 24, 2024