In a new development in last year’s major Standerton drug lab bust, the Hawks arrested a Durban woman after her luxury car was found with R3 million cash at the scene.
Sandra Pillay, 53, appeared in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga on Wednesday, where she was granted R10 000 bail.
Hawks link Pillay’s luxury vehicle to R48m drug bust
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (Hawks) Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, based in Secunda, arrested Pillay after she handed herself over to the Standerton police on Wednesday.
This followed an intensive investigation by the Hawks, in connection with the ongoing Standerton drug laboratory probe.
In April 2025, the Hawks raided a warehouse, farm, and house where they seized drug-manufacturing chemicals, luxury vehicles, cash, and other items worth about R48 million.
During the operation, police arrested two South Africans and five Mozambican nationals.
The investigators seized 11 vehicles, including seven luxury vehicles. They also found more than R3 million in cash concealed in the boot of one of the luxury cars.
More than R3m concealed in boot
“Investigations revealed that Pillay’s vehicle was among the luxury vehicles recovered at one of the premises allegedly used to produce final drug products,” Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said.
Nkosi added that Pillay’s car was the vehicle where investigators found more than R3 million in cash.
She will appear again on 23 June 2026 with her co-accused.
“The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, commended the investigating team for their unwavering commitment and dedication in ensuring that all individuals linked to illegal drug manufacturing and trafficking are brought to justice,” Nkosi said.
Meanwhile, in October 2025, police discovered a clandestine R350 million meth lab on a farm in Oudehoutkloof. The farm is less than 100km from Standerton.
Oudehoutkloof meth lab bust
The police uncovered the lab on 19 September after receiving a report of an unpleasant smell in the area.
Police arrested five Mexican nationals and a South African caretaker, while two other suspects fled. The five Mexicans abandoned their bail application, while the court granted the South African R50 000 bail.
Authorities seized large quantities of chemicals, machinery, packaged meth, and ammunition.
