Police visibility and joint operations held in the last 24 hours in hotspot areas in the metro resulted in significant arrests and confiscation of drugs and firearms.
Vehicle check points held by SAPS Humewood and metro police along the beachfront in Humewood and Summerstrand on Sunday, 4 April 2021 resulted in 26 fines issued with a total amount of R 22 050. Police also focussed their attention to the strict compliance of the Disaster Management Act in ensuring that everyone visiting beaches and public spaces adhered to the COVID19 regulations.
In a joint operation conducted yesterday, 04 April 2021, between SAPS Gelvandale, Anti-Gang Unit, Public Order Policing and the K9 unit, two firearms, drugs and ammunition were seized and two suspects arrested. The team focussed their operations on gang and drug posts in search of illegal firearms and drugs.
It is alleged that at about 14:00, search warrants were executed at two houses in Jameson Road in Shauderville. As police stopped at one house, a 31-year-old male started running and jumped over several roofs in his bid to escape arrest. AGU arrested him and an R1 round was found in his possession. After a thorough search of the area, a 9mm pistol was found in a yard. Detectives are probing the suspect’s possible link to the firearm. At this stage, an inquiry docket was opened in respect of the firearm, and the suspect was detained on a charge of illegal possession of ammunition.
At the same time, SAPS Gelvandale members also searched another house in Jameson Road. A 32-year-old alleged gang member was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, dealing in drugs, and illegal possession of Schedule 5 medication. Mandrax, dagga, Schedule 5 tablets (stilpane and purata), tik, cash, and a 9mm pistol and ammunition were confiscated. The estimated total value of the cash and drugs seized is R15 500.
Both firearms are not reported stolen and ownership is yet to be determined.
Also, last night at about 22:00, while AGU members were patrolling in Kerk Street in Missionvale, they spotted a white VW Citi Golf belonging to an alleged gang member. The vehicle was stopped with two occupants inside. On searching the VW Golf, a firearm was recovered inside the dashboard and another firearm was found in the boot under the spare wheel. Mandrax (250) was also found in the boot. One firearm was reported stolen in Kabega Park in December 2020 while the serial number of the other firearm was filed off. The vehicle was confiscated for further investigation. No arrest was made and an inquiry docket was opened.
A total of nine firearms were recovered in the metro this weekend. All the firearms will be sent to ballistics for further analysis.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Gqeberha magistrates’ court on Tuesday, 6 April 2021.