By “El Huaso” for Borderland Beat
This is most recent of several meth lab raids where Mexican cooks have been arrested across Africa this year. In May 2026, U.S. General Dagvin Anderson, commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), told the US Senate Armed Services Committee that Mexican cooks were found in 11 of the 12 clandestine drug labs dismantled in Africa in the last two years.
According to InSight Crime, Mexican meth cooks are sought by international criminal groups for their skill in producing high quality narcotics.
The SAPs press release stated that this is the third clandestine drug laboratory found in Limpopo province. In July 2024, authorities raided a farm in Groblersdal, recovering chemicals and crystal meth valued at R2 billion and arresting five suspects, including the farm owner and two Mexican nationals, as reported by Borderland Beat.
Two months later, in August 2024, authorities discovered a mandrax manufacturing lab in Makotse village near Lebowakgomo, seized drugs worth roughly R4 million. No Mexican cooks were present at the bust.
