GEORGE NEWS - During a joint interprovincial operation between the police, provincial and local traffic departments, Sars, Nature Conservation and Home Affairs, 14 suspects were arrested for various criminal offences between 24 and 28 June.
These arrests included wanted suspects, drug-related offences and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Malcolm Pojie, these interprovincial trilateral cross-border operations between the Northern, Eastern and Western Cape are conducted on a regular basis to successfully monitor and police the main entrance and exit routes between provinces.
"We also want to ensure the safety of rural and urban communities by means of high density patrols and road visibility through roadblocks and vehicle checkpoints," he said.
On Tuesday 25 June four people were arrested after the vehicle they were travelling in was stopped and searched at a roadblock in Beaufort West. A 9mm pistol, of which the serial number was removed, and seven rounds of ammunition were confiscated.
"A 24-year-old suspect was arrested on a charge of being in possession of an illegal firearm. Three Zimbabwean passengers in the vehicle were also arrested after it was found that they didn't have the necessary documentation for residency in South Africa," Pojie said.
Dagga with an estimated street value of R63 308, tik with an estimated value of R122 500, Mandrax tablets with an estimated value of R60 000, illicit cigarettes and copper cables were confiscated during the operation. A total of 38 fines and admissions of guilt to the combined value of approximately R266 000 were issued for traffic violations and other minor offences.
"These unannounced operations will continue throughout the remainder of this financial year," Pojie said.
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