WESTERN CAPE - A joint crime-combatting operation between four provinces, the Western Cape, the Free State, the Eastern Cape and the Northern Cape, during which several resources were deployed, saw the arrest of 509 suspects for several offences as well as the confiscation of illicit drugs and goods estimated at R6.7m.
Some 4 127 officials were deployed from 23 to 27 June.
They monitored and policed the entry and exit highways and secondary routes to the provinces, focusing on the prevention of serious, violent and economical crimes, drug trafficking and substance abuse, theft of non-ferrous metals and batteries, agricultural theft and illicit mining.
They also zeroed in on illicit firearms and the transport and sale of counterfeit goods, and the poaching of marine fauna, indigenous flora, stolen livestock and rhinos.
The officials clamped down on illicit drug and liquor outlets and conducted 172 compliance inspections at scrapyards, second-hand goods dealers, vehicle dealerships, licensed liquor premises and security companies, while high-density patrols took place on several farms in the rural sectors.
More than 25 000 searches included the searching through of 16 558 persons, 7 544 vehicles and 71 premises.
Thirty-five suspects were arrested for drug-related offences (possession of drugs and dealing in drugs), four on charges of unlawful possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and 162 for being in the country undocumented. The members also seized four unlicensed firearms.
Several unlicensed firearms and ammunition were confiscated during the operations.
Other successes include the confiscation of counterfeit goods and various drugs with an estimated street value of R1m. A total of 755 fines valued at R551 600 were issued for road traffic violations as part of ongoing road safety operations.
Successes in the Western Cape included the arrests of two persons after 2 377 succulent plants valued at R47 540 were confiscated near Clanwilliam, 103 undocumented persons in the Citrusdal area, and one for dealing in drugs after 4 105 bundles of khat were found in a vehicle near Beaufort West.
Other provinces saw the confiscation of 1 230kg copper in Kuruman with an estimated worth of R250 000, an arrest after an unlicensed rifle and 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition were found at a roadblock near Middelburg, and counterfeit brand name products seized in Korsten and Bethelsdorp in the Eastern Cape.
Copper worth R250 000 was confiscated in Kuruman.
In Elundini, a thoroughfare to Mthata, a tip-off led the officials to suspected stock thieves in Nqanarhu, and three suspects were arrested for the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
For the duration of the operation, a significant decline in most categories of crime was observed. This can be attributed to the high-density patrols and enhanced visibility on the provincial borders. All those arrested will make their court appearances in the provinces’ respective courts once charged.
The participating provinces’ police commissioners commended their forces for their discipline, commitment and diligence and agreed that integrated operations and the use of specialised role players remain effective in addressing priority crimes.
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