A co-ordinated investigation by SAPS (SA Police Service) in the De Deur area in southern Gauteng appears to have uncovered an illicit cannabis distribution network centred around two sophisticated hydroponic facilities. Two Jamaican men have been arrested along with five other foreigners in two separate raids in the Sedibeng policing district.
SAPS haven been busy in the De Deur area in the Sedibeng policing district in southern Gauteng. Two intelligence-driven raids have taken place in the last two weeks, uncovering two separate hydroponic facilities illegally growing cannabis.
In the first raid on 28 August 2026, two Jamaicans, two Malawians and a Lesotho citizen were arrested after they were found at an unlicensed hydroponic grow op, which police valued at R1 million. Two firearms were also seized during the operation. The men are due to appear in the Meyerton Magistrates Court soon.
In the second bust, on 9 September 2026, Gauteng police conducted an intelligence-driven operation in Hartzenbergfontein in the same policing precinct, resulting in the discovery of a ‘hydroponic dagga laboratory ‘and the arrest of a 22-year-old Malawian man. Police estimate the value of the grow op and the plants being cultivated at R1,5 million.
The Malawi man is expected to appear in the Vereeniging Magistrates Court soon.
The operation was conducted by members of Gauteng Counter-Intelligence Narcotics, Gauteng Organised Crime, West Rand K9, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), and private security companies.
The suspects are facing charges relating to the contravention of Sections 3 and 5(b) of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992, as well as contravention of Section 49 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.