BRYANSTON – At least five people were arrested after raids on two drug laboratories in Northern Johannesburg on Wednesday.
The police’s Crime Intelligence Unit uncovered the first laboratory in Mount Street, Bryanston, where a man and his wife were arrested.
Officers began the operation at around 5am and allowed the couple’s three children to go to school.
A second laboratory was bust in Douglasdale, where another couple and their domestic worker were arrested.
The two homeowners are brothers.
The Douglasdale house is located inside a luxury complex.
Residents in both suburbs expressed shock that their neighbours were caught manufacturing drugs.
Police said the clandestine laboratories were manufacturing Mandrax.
Forensic teams gathered evidence from both homes.
Drugs, chemicals and equipment seized in both raids were estimated to be worth around R100 million.
It now appears officers were inquiring about a third location in the area, which they believe acts as another drug laboratory.
(Edited by Thato Motaung)