Four Schutte accused to seek bail in R1bn Swartruggens drug lab case

By Akani Nkuna

Four South African accused in the R1 billion Swartruggens drug laboratory case are expected to apply for bail next month after the matter was postponed in the Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

The court heard that the number of accused in the case had increased to 13 after two more suspects handed themselves over to police.

The accused appeared after the case was postponed from their first appearance to allow the State to verify immigration status, secure interpreters and prepare for possible bail proceedings.

The State told the court that preliminary checks had found that eight of the accused were in South Africa illegally.

The first 11 accused were arrested after police uncovered a clandestine drug laboratory on a farm near Swartruggens in the North West earlier this month. SAPS said the facility was believed to have been used to manufacture methamphetamine and that the estimated value