South African police arrest two Mexicans after finding $37m meth lab on remote farm


By Khanyisile Ngcobo – Johannesburg, 2 hours ago


Three officers in face masks and uniform in discussion during a raid on a meth lab found at a farm in Limpopo province


Two Mexicans were arrested in the north of South Africa after police uncovered a multi‑million‑dollar crystal meth laboratory on a farm near Musina, 20 kilometres from Zimbabwe’s border.


The overnight raid followed a two‑month investigation into suspicious activity on the property. Authorities seized drugs and meth‑production equipment valued at roughly 600 million rand ($37 million) and a large sum of cash.


Additional arrests included two Zimbabwean nationals and a person from Malawi. They face charges of manufacturing, possessing and distributing illicit drugs.


The incident is part of a growing pattern of large meth labs on remote South African farms linked to Mexican cartels. Earlier this year, 11 people—including four Mexicans—were arrested after a $6 million lab was found north‑west of Johannesburg, while in September last year, five Mexicans were taken down in the east of the country.


South Africa is one of the biggest crystal‑meth markets worldwide. Its porous borders and strategic location make it an attractive route for drug trafficking and, increasingly, a production base for dangerous substances.


Similar operations have been identified across the continent, including a high‑profile joint Mexican‑Nigerian lab in Nigeria last year and 14 Mexican‑run labs raided between 2023 and 2024 in Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and South Africa.


The five suspects on the Musina farm are due in court Monday to face charges related to drug manufacturing and possession.