News and Updates!
Five foreign nationals arrested as police bust R1-million hydroponic dagga lab in De Deur
Gauteng – 28 August 2026
Gauteng police have arrested five foreign nationals and shut down a sophisticated hydroponic dagga laboratory valued at more than R1 million in De Deur, Sedibeng District.
The intelligence-driven operation took place on Thursday, 27 August 2026. Officers from Gauteng Counter-Intelligence Narcotics, Gauteng Organised Crime, the West Rand K9 Unit, the Forensic Science Laboratory, National Cybercrime and private security companies took part.
According to police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, the suspects are aged between 29 and 68. They comprise two Jamaican nationals, two Malawian nationals and one Lesotho national.
During the raid, police also recovered a .303 rifle and a 9mm Glock pistol. The five face charges under Sections 3 and 5(b) of the Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992. Two of the suspects face additional charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
They are expected to appear in the Meyerton Magistrate’s Court.
Authorities described the facility as an industrial-scale hydroponic operation. The bust forms part of ongoing efforts to disrupt organised dagga production and supply networks in Gauteng.
The case has been widely shared on social media, including via this Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/share/194PAKRyui/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Investigations are continuing.
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/crime/foreign-nationals-nabbed-hydroponic-dagga-lab-bust
