Law enforcement authorities raid alleged Chatsworth drug lab

LAW enforcement agencies, who are taking aim at the illegal narcotics trade in KwaZulu-Natal, raided a residential property in Chatsworth, which is suspected to be a drug lab, early yesterday morning.

- SIPHESIHLE BUTHELEZI and THUTHUKANI MTHEMBU

The police said the operation, which is the culmination of a long-term investigation that began in 2023, involved a coordinated effort between the Hawks (DPCI Port Shepstone), Metro Police Drug Team, and SAPS KZN Crime Intelligence.

Authorities confirmed the arrest of a 32-year-old male suspect found inside the premises. He is currently facing charges related to drug dealing.

Warrant Officer Sibu Ncane, speaking from the active scene, said that police suspected the property had an illegal drug lab.

“This particular residential property is said to have a lab at the back of the house,” Ncane said. “There are small machines where we can see that these machines are being used to produce the drugs, and there are machines for counting money and other packaging stuff inside”

While police could not yet confirm the exact street value or quantity of the seized narcotics, they confirmed the recovery of suspected "main drugs" and cocaine.