204 arrests over the weekend

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - A total of 204 suspects were arrested in the Eden district from Friday to Sunday, 14 to 16 January, for a range of petty to serious criminal offences.

Southern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Malcolm Pojie, says this weekend’s operations included high visibility blue light patrols in crime-stricken areas, roadblocks, stop-and-search operations focusing on drug and liquor outlets, illegal firearms, the tracing of wanted suspects and the confiscation of dangerous weapons.

Once charged, most of the arrested suspects will make their court appearance in their local magistrate’s court today, Monday 17 January, while others were released on a warning to appear in court at a later stage or pay admission of guilt fines for minor transgressions.

One of these arrests was made in Conville when the local Crime Prevention Unit, assisted by the Eden Cluster Crime Combatting Team, pounced on a known drug outlet in Luister Street on Friday.

“With the search that ensued members found 17 small dagga bankies and three stops of dagga, 14 Mandrax tablets, 14 bankies of tik and a small amount of cash. The 36-year-old suspect that was arrested has been charged with dealing in drugs and will appear in the George Magistrate’s Court later today,” said Pojie.

In Ladismith a 73-year-old suspect from Protea Park in Zoar was found to be in possession of a large amount of liquor during a clandestine operation following the purchasing of liquor at the premises.

The suspect was arrested and later paid an admission of guilt fine of R2 500.

Police also executed a search warrant at a premises situated in Piketberg, a location in Zoar, where they found and confiscated 186 Mandrax tablets and 20 grams of tik stashed in small bankies.

Drugs confiscated over the weekend.

A 47-year-old suspect was arrested and is scheduled to appear in the Ladismith Magistrate’s Court later today.

Acting Eden Cluster Commander, Brigadier Phumzile Cetyana, praised the members for their dedication to safeguard communities within their area.

The confiscation of illicit drugs contributed to the prevention of serious crime such as murder and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, he said. Provincial management commended the members for bringing these perpetrators to book.

Combined and integrated operations will continue beyond the festive season with the focus on the restart of the Western Cape school year.

Illegal alcohol confiscated over the weekend.