R5 MILLION WORTH OF GOLD AND PLATINUM LAB SHUT DOWN

GAUTENG – The South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) and Crime Intelligence have on Wednesday evening conducted a disruptive operation in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg where a clandestine gold and platinum manufacturing lab was disbanded.
The Hawks were acting on a tip-off and when they arrive at a residential place in Lenasia Extension they discovered a clandestine lab with gold and platinum being processed. Unprocessed gold, gold concentrate material, gold nuggets, unprocessed platinum, and refined platinum, as well as the manufacturing equipment at an estimated value of R5 million were seized.
A 31-year-old man was arrested and will be appearing at the Protea Magistrates Court on Friday, 10 March 2017 for illegal manufacturing of precious metal.
The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Lieutenant General Mthandazo Ntlemeza applauded the officers for yet another discovery of an undercover lab, saying that the Hawks will continue to detect and shut down all illegal laboratories. “Illegal mining is a serious concern and we warning those engaging in those activities that we are coming to them. We are closing in on their territory and it is just a matter of time before we pounce on them”, concluded Lieutenant General Ntlemeza.