…as four Chinese nationals, Mosotho appear in court over drug factory
Hopolang Mokhopi
THE massive Khubetsoana drug bust has finally made its way to court, with four Chinese nationals and a Mosotho appearing before the Maseru Magistrates’ Court on charges linked to the alleged operation of an illicit drug manufacturing laboratory in Lifariking, Khubetsoana.
The accused appeared before Magistrate Mary Khechane this week, with Advocate Keketso Motiki prosecuting.
The accused are Chen Wu, Chen Minglevu and Yeng Xiong Kang. They are charged alongside their company, Stan Dar (Pty) Ltd, and Kemang Masupha, a senior Industry Development Officer in the Ministry of Trade, Business Development and Industry.
The accused were granted bail of M5 000 each with surety of M50 000 each.
They face charges of manufacturing drugs, unlawful importation of medicines without licences, and discharging hazardous substances and chemicals into the environment.
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly operated the illegal drug manufacturing enterprise between August 2025 and March 2026.
“Upon or about the period beginning August 2025 and ending March 2026, at or near Khubetsoana Lifariking in the district of Berea (but within this court’s jurisdiction), the accused did, acting in concert and in furtherance of a common purpose, unlawfully and intentionally produce, manufacture, extract, prepare, offer for sale, distribute, sell, deliver, or export drugs of abuse, chemicals, or precursors, including ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, methcathinone and methamphetamine, in contravention of the law,” part of the charge sheet reads.
The second count alleges that the accused unlawfully imported medicines and medical devices into Lesotho without the requisite licences.
“Upon or about the period beginning August 2025 to March 2026, at or near Maseru Border Post in the district of Maseru, the accused did unlawfully and intentionally import medicines and/or medical devices into Lesotho without a licence, in contravention of the law,” the charge sheet states.
The third count relates to environmental offences.
“During the same period and at or near Khubetsoana Lifariking in the district of Berea, the accused did unlawfully discharge hazardous substances, chemicals, oil, or mixtures containing oil into the environment, without adherence to the guidelines prescribed by the director in consultation with the relevant line ministry,” the charge sheet further states.
Defence lawyer Advocate Ntsane, had applied for bail of M800 per accused. He argued that Masupha, being a Lesotho citizen and a senior government official, was not a flight risk and would stand trial to finality.
He further submitted that the three foreign nationals were operating legitimate businesses in Lesotho and were willing to remain in the country for the duration of the trial.
Adv Ntsane also told the court that the accused had cooperated fully with police investigations.
Adv Motiki did not oppose bail but indicated that additional charges could still be brought against the accused.
In granting bail, Magistrate Khechane ordered the accused not to interfere with police investigations or Crown witnesses. She also directed them to surrender their passports to the court clerk.
Background
The Maseru Central Beat Patrol Unit had in February 2026 reportedly uncovered a suspected crystal methamphetamine laboratory operating from a rented workshop in Lifariking, Khubetsoana.
Police allegedly found the suspects in possession of approximately 7.5 tonnes of chemicals associated with the manufacture of crystal methamphetamine, ecstasy and substances linked to khat. The chemicals were estimated to have a street value of nearly M5 billion.
The matter has, however, been surrounded by controversy since its discovery.
Initially, police denied the existence of the case until the Lesotho Times published a damning expose about the case. This before Commissioner of Police Advocate Borotho Matsoso later confirmed that investigations were underway.
Highly placed sources close to the investigations alleged that the case, registered as RCI/126/03/26, had stalled at the office of the Maseru Urban District Commissioner of Police (DISPOL), Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Tšeliso Moerane, despite what insiders described as “overwhelming evidence”.
The same sources claimed the drugs were intended for international markets, including the United States.
“The police laboratory confirmed the substances through tests conducted on 31 March 2026 under reference number 64/26, yet senior officers still claimed they needed a second opinion,” a source alleged.
The substances were reportedly submitted to the National University of Lesotho (NUL) and the National Drug Service Organisation (NDSO) for additional testing. However, both institutions allegedly declined involvement because they already rely on police laboratories for such analyses.
Adv Matsoso previously maintained that investigations were ongoing and that the matter would ultimately be brought before the courts.
“I am not aware of allegations that the suspects have left the country. Those investigating the matter will brief me once they complete their investigations,” Adv Matsoso said at the time.
“This is a very complex and sensitive case. We cannot rush simply because there is public interest.”
He defended the decision to seek additional testing, saying it was standard investigative procedure.
“It is normal to conduct multiple tests in order to strengthen findings. There is nothing unusual about that,” he said.
On allegations that senior police officers had received bribes, Adv Matsoso dismissed the claims as speculation.
“People will always have opinions about how the police do their work. But we are not going to rush investigations because people are talking.
“This is one of the most difficult cases we have handled and we have to be extremely careful. At the end of the day, if mistakes are made because investigations were rushed, the same people will criticise us.”
He also defended the decision not to formally remand the suspects earlier, saying investigators had not yet assembled sufficient evidence to secure criminal charges.
“We could not charge people without having a solid case. If investigations eventually establish criminal liability, the suspects will be charged,” Adv Matsoso said.
