The Hawks had been surveying the premises at New Market Junction in Alrode, Alberton. The premises were under scrutiny by the Hawks for about two months, said spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said. This eventually led to a search and seizure operation at the said premises, Ramovha said. “A fully functional clandestine laboratory manufacturing steroids and suspected sexual enhancement drugs valued at over R2 million were seized.” Captain Lloyd Ramovha

The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team and the K9 unit pounced on four men on Wednesday. Francois Juan van der Merwe, 44, Jacob Mokgwethwa, 42, Kenneth Aliki, 40 and John James, 51 were immediately arrested. Van der Merwe seemed to be running the lab as his co-accused were his employees. “The group appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court [on Thursday]. They were charged with manufacturing, dealing and possession of steroids in contravention of the Medicine and Related Substance Act,” said Ramovha. Van der Merwe and Mokgwethwa were granted R8 000 bail each.

The other two suspects, Aliki and James, will remain in police custody until their status in the country is verified. Their bail application is expected to be heard next week Wednesday, Ramovha said. The Gauteng provincial Hawks head Major General Ebrahim Kadwa applauded the multidisciplinary team for their success. “He further appealed to members of the public to continue reporting the illicit manufacturers and distributors of anabolic steroids as well as other drug substances,” said Ramovha.