4 Mexican nationals among 11 arrested in NW major drug bust

Police have arrested 11 suspects linked to a multi-million rand drug manufacturing laboratory on a farm in Swarttruggens in the North West.

Among those arrested are four Mexican nationals and one woman.

Police seized drugs with an estimated street value of R100 million after they raided the farm, which was allegedly operating under the guise of a game lodge earlier today.

A gold processing plant was also found on the premises.

Acting National Police Commissioner, Puleng Dimpane, says the latest drug bust should serve as a stern warning to criminals that the South African Police Service remains resolute and relentless in the fight against crime.

“We will continue to intensify operations aimed at disrupting and dismantling drug networks operating within our communities,” she said.

Police say that in the past week alone, at least 280 suspects have been arrested for drug-related offences nationwide.

#sapsHQ [SWARTRUGGENS DRUG LAB] The Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS, Lt Gen Puleng Dimpane, has welcomed the arrest of 11 suspects following the discovery of a multimillion rand drug manufacturing laboratory on a farm in Swartruggens, North West.

The suspects include… pic.twitter.com/11dSAbR3ED

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) May 13, 2026

The North West drug bust is crazy. Swartruggens?

SWARTRUGGENS?????

— Ntombikayise (@OratileMogoje) May 13, 2026

One such operation was busted in Mpumalanga not so long ago, and now this one in North West.

One wonders how many of these well organised and well built drug labs are there in the country.

South Africa remains a safe haven for organised crime. https://t.co/vorKiy0LmO

— Shumi Ley’nkezo Ngubane. (@Maqhawe_Ngubane) May 13, 2026