Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mr. Jackie Macie has welcomed the arrests of six suspects linked to the discovery of laboratory that is suspected to be used for manufacturing drugs in Standerton on Friday.
The apprehension of the suspects follows a raid that was conducted by the HAWKS on one of the warehouses in Standerton where they discovered a number of chemicals that were stored in the facility.
Following further investigations, more chemicals and equipment suspected to be used in manufacturing drugs were found at a nearby farm in the area.
Macie says the arrests and discoveries of chemicals were vital in the ongoing war against illicit drug trading in the province and the country as a whole.
The MEC says while he welcomes the arrests of the suspects, he believes bringing kingpins to book would assist in eradicating drug abuse, especially among young people.
"We welcome every effort by the security cluster to combat illicit drug trading and manufacturing in our province. Drug kingpins must also be brought to book so that they face the full consequences of their actions. Drug abuse places a huge burden on the health and welfare of the country because addicts end up in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities for treatment and psychosocial support. Therefore, we must all work together to expose culprits," Macie says.
The MEC also highlighted that illicit drugs wreck families and also contribute to crime. He therefore urges the security cluster to work harder in order to dismantle drug syndicates by thoroughly investigating such cases so that it becomes difficult for those implicated to go unpunished.
He also calls for lengthy jail sentences for those who are convicted of illicit drug trading and related offenses. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious people to the police anonymously on mysaps app or on Crime Stop Hotline: 08600 10111.
Ends.
Issued by the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison
