South African police have arrested two Mexican nationals in connection with a large-scale methamphetamine laboratory discovered on a farm in Limpopo province. The operation, located near the border with Zimbabwe, was described by police as "sophisticated" and "industrial-scale."
The discovery is part of a broader pattern identified by counter-narcotics officials at the US-Africa Command (Africom). Since 2023, 14 Mexican-operated laboratories have been raided across the African continent, including in Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Experts suggest this indicates that Mexican criminal cartels are increasingly utilizing Africa not only as a trafficking hub but also as a base for manufacturing illicit substances. South Africa is recognized as one of the world's largest consumer markets for crystal methamphetamine, and its geography and porous borders also make it a suitable transit point for illegal drugs, according to the 2022 Global State of Harm Reduction report.
This development follows a similar dismantling of a "highly sophisticated, multi-million-dollar Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine production syndicate" by Nigeria's drug enforcement agency in May. The lab in that case was found in a dense forested area of Nigeria.
The suspects arrested in South Africa are expected to appear in court on Monday to face charges related to the manufacture and possession of illicit drugs. The police statement emphasized the illicit substances were destined for distribution.