The new world's most wanted: Now Daniel Kinahan is behind bars, the $1bn narco 'Chubby Jos' who's living 'like a king' in palm fringed Sierra Leone beach resort after fathering a baby with the president's DAUGHTER

Two Mexicans have been arrested in South Africa following the discovery of a large-scale methamphetamine laboratory on a farm near the town of Musina in the Limpopo province. The raid took place overnight and led to the seizure of drugs and equipment valued at approximately 600 million rand ($37 million; £27 million), along with an unspecified amount of cash. The suspects include two Zimbabwean nationals and one Malawian, alongside the two Mexican individuals detained during the operation. The operation unfolded after a two-month investigation into unusual activity at the farm. Police confirmed that the lab was part of a complex, industrial-scale operation aimed at manufacturing dangerous illicit substances intended for wider distribution. This follows a pattern of recent discoveries of meth labs on remote farms in South Africa, many of which involve Mexican nationals. In May, authorities arrested 11 people, including four Mexicans, after uncovering a suspected drug lab estimated to be worth $6 million on a farm northwest of Johannesburg. Similarly, in September of the previous year, five Mexicans were apprehended after a meth lab containing drugs valued at $20 million was dismantled on a farm in eastern South Africa. Earlier in July 2024, three Mexicans were among those arrested at a farm in the Limpopo province, where a meth lab and drugs worth $108 million were found. The five suspects from the Musina farm are set to appear in court on Monday to face charges related to the manufacture and possession of illegal drugs. According to police statements, the operation revealed a network that appears to have been operating under the radar for some time, leveraging the region’s remoteness and limited law enforcement presence. South Africa, noted as one of the world’s largest consumers of crystal meth, faces growing challenges due to its geographical position and porous borders, making it a key transit point for illicit narcotics. These factors have contributed to the proliferation of drug-related crimes across the country. The issue extends beyond South Africa. In May, Nigeria’s drug enforcement agency announced the dismantling of a sophisticated, multi-million-dollar meth production syndicate involving both Nigerian and Mexican operatives. The lab was located in a dense forested area within West Africa. U.S.-based counter-narcotics officials at the Africa Command (Africom) informed the BBC that since 2023, 14 Mexican-run meth labs have been raided across the continent, spanning countries such as Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa. This trend suggests that criminal cartels in Mexico are increasingly utilizing Africa not merely as a trafficking route but as a production site for illicit drugs. Experts suggest that these developments reflect a broader shift in how drug cartels operate globally. With increased scrutiny in traditional trafficking routes, organizations are diversifying their operations to exploit regions with less regulatory oversight. The involvement of Mexican nationals in these operations underscores the transnational nature of modern drug networks, which often span multiple continents. As law enforcement agencies continue to target these operations, the challenge remains in tracking and disrupting such complex, international supply chains.