THE Hawks in Mpumalanga have discovered another secret drug lab at the Rooikopen farm, in Standerton.

The discovery was made on Wednesday, 14 May.

According to Mpumalanga Hawks spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, they received a tip-off before the cleaning process could start that underneath one of the containers there was an entrance to an underground laboratory.

“The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation followed up on clues whereby the underground entrance was identified. Machinery believed to be used in the illegal manufacturing of drugs, drums, and plastic containers filled with substances were recovered,” he said.

Nkosi said the Hawks cannot confirm the value of the recovered equipment and chemicals, pending further investigation.

“Currently, the scene is under police guard to allow the Forensic Science Laboratory (Chemistry) to analyse the recovered machinery and substances,” he said.

At least, eight suspects, two South Africans and six Mozambican nationals were arrested for the discovery of the two laboratories.

In April, eleven vehicles, including high-performance luxury cars and millions of rands, were seized.