Officers from Thembalethu, together with members of various other specialised units in the police, held an intelligence driven operation throughout the area during which 10 drug outlets and three second-hand shops were targeted.
Police arrested 18 people and confiscated a firearm, ammunition, tik worth R60 000, dagga and almost R12 000 in cash.
"We focused on suspects for whom warrants of arrest have been issued. Search warrants were also obtained after we received positive information from the public. Most suspects were arrested for drugs, one for attempted murder, one for possession of an illegal firearm and some for the possession of suspected stolen goods," Southern Cape Police Spokesperson, Capt Malcolm Pojie said.
A Nigerian man (40) and a South African woman (27) were arrested in connection with the tik found in a house in Zone 9. They will appear in the George Magistrate's Court today (Thursday 2 May).
Another Nigerian, Chinendo Ido (37), who was caught with drugs worth R250 000 at his rented house in Bos-en-Dal last month (12 April) appeared again in court this week. He remains in custody until his next appearance on 13 May.
A learner from Thembalethu High School was arrested at school last week after an air gun, with a calibre which requires a firearm license, was found in his possession. He appeared in court on a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm and was released into the custody of his parents.
According to Pojie they received information from a concerned member of the public and, after obtaining a search warrant, went to the school.
The police also visited Imizamo Yethu Se-condary School on Tuesday where the police conducted a routine safety inspection as part of their social crime prevention programme. Pojie says no dangerous weapons or drugs were found during their inspection.
"We have a good working relationship with the headmasters of local schools to conduct regular inspections to ensure that their schools remain a safe and secure environment where education is the priority."
Station Commander of Thembalethu Police, Colonel R France (left) with Captain F van Rooyen (commander of Public Order Policing), Lieutenant-Colnel A Louw (commander of Vispol) and Lieutenant-Colonel E Julies (head of detectives) with the weapons, drugs and cash their members confiscated during a successful operation in Thembalethu on Tuesday.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: LIZETTE DA SILVA, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
