Volkrust, South Africa – Five Mexican nationals arrested in connection with a R350 million drug bust in Mpumalanga were in South Africa illegally, according to the province’s MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Jackie Macie.
Macie told reporters in Volksrust on Sunday that the suspects had entered the country in January and overstayed their permitted period, during which they allegedly converted a disused traditional beer factory into a large-scale crystal methamphetamine laboratory.
Alongside the five Mexicans, police also named a Nigerian and a Malawian national as suspects. Both men fled when law enforcement raided the farm on Friday and remain at large. A South African caretaker was also arrested after allegedly allowing the facility to be used for drug production. 
“This factory is massive. Our investigations confirm the accused had no legal status to remain in South Africa. In addition to charges of drug manufacturing, they will also be facing contraventions of immigration laws,” Macie said.
She added that abandoned or idle farms were increasingly being used as drug factories and that her department would work with municipalities and police to audit unused properties. “We cannot have people coming all the way from Mexico to commit crime here,” she said.
Provincial police commissioner, Maj-Gen Zeph Mkhwanazi, confirmed that a multidisciplinary team shut down the lab after a community tip-off about a foul smell coming from the property. He credited the arrest to cooperation between residents and law enforcement.
Mkhwanazi appealed to the public to assist in locating the Nigerian and Malawian suspects. “We are warning them to surrender at the nearest police station before we find them,” he said.
Community members from nearby Daggakraal said they grew suspicious after noticing unusual traffic at the old brewery site, which had long ceased producing traditional beer known locally as Dambas. The smell and the presence of unfamiliar individuals prompted them to alert the police.
