Operation Watchdog was held last week in the Southern Cape’s four clusters, Beaufort West, Oudtshoorn, George and Da Gamasko in Mossel Bay.
According to Captain Bernadine Steyn, the Southern Cape police spokesperson, several police role-players were involved including Ports of Entry, Visible Police members based at all the stations, Detectives, Sea Borderline, VISS (Vehicle Identification Safeguarding unit), K9-unit, Public Order Police, TRT (Tactical Response team) Intervention unit based in Cape Town, Flying Squad and the Stock Theft unit. Other role-players included SANDF, SARS, Immigration, municipal traffic department, provincial traffic department, nature conservation and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
The operation consisted of roadblocks, VCP’s (vehicle control points), execution of warrants of arrests, visits to legal and illegal firearm outlets, visits to legal and illegal liquor outlets, drug outlets and scrap yards, second hand dealers and farms in all areas of the province by both the police and SANDF.
In total 3 245 vehicles were stopped during roadblocks and VCPs’, 4 156 people were searched and 162 fines were issued to the value of R72 600.
Police arrested 95 suspects including four suspects for attempted murder, 39 for drug related crimes, two for robbery, six for assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and eight suspects for housebreaking.
K9 Storm at work on a premises in Lawaaikamp.
Photos: Captain Bernadine Steyn.
