Three suspects with ages between 35 and 50 linked to an alleged drug manufacturing laboratory in Memel, eastern Free State, were each served with summons to appear before the Vrede Regional Court on 30 June 2025 on charges of dealing in drugs and manufacturing of drugs.
Free State Hawks Spokesperson Warrant Officer Fikizwa Matoti said on the 2nd of January 2022, members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Bethlehem conducted a search on a farm in Memel where they discovered a clandestine laboratory.
They recovered mushroom plants suspected to contain a psilion with a weight of about 100kg and some equipment used to grow mushroom plants.
Three suspects were arrested on the scene and charged for dealing in drugs and manufacturing of drugs. The matter was taken to court, where it was provisionally withdrawn, awaiting forensic science lab results. At a later stage, the results came back positive for psilion, which is listed under the Drug and Drug Trafficking Act.
Acting Free State Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Brigadier Paulus Mbongo is pleased that the case has been reinstated. “There are various reasons why a case may stall or be withdrawn. It is never a sign that the case has been lost.