500 suspects arrested by Metro Police for various crimes, after search operations

Western Cape Police arrested close to 500 suspects for various crimes, after conducting operations that commenced on Thursday, 19 January  and concluded on the 23 January 2023.

According to Sergeant Christopher Spies, weekend crime combatting operations under the theme “More boots on the ground towards enhanced police visibility” yielded positive results. Police arrested 494 suspects, meanwhile police confiscated drugs with an estimated value of R57 000 as well as 329 litres of liquor in the Garden Route District.

Spies stated, “ The operations were conducted after the deployment of members of the Tactical Response Team(TRT), George Public order Police, Garden Route Crime Combatting Team, Rural Flying Squad, K9, Crime Intelligence and crime prevention units across the district. Efforts also included Western Cape Provincial and Local Traffic and other Law enforcement agencies. The operations aimed at crime stricken areas included search and seizure operations, closing down of illicit drug and liquor outlets, vehicle check points and high density patrols with a special focus on serious and violent crime stations “.

The various operations led to the following arrests:

Drug related offences – 77

Possession of dangerous weapon – 37

Driving motor vehicle whilst under the influence of liquor – 20

Selling liquor without a licence – 4

Possession of stolen property – 13

Warrants of arrest executed- 8

Police confiscated 276 mandrax tablets, 4 grams of Mandrax powder, 159 grams of tik, 1 gram of cocaine and 329 litres of liquor.

Eight suspect were arrested On Friday, 20 January, after a surprise search operation in Knysna Taxi Rank at Nelson Street. The suspects aged between 21 and 48, were aprehended for drug related offences. Police found the suspects with over R3000 in cash; they also confiscated 134 mandrax tablets, 7, 1 gram tik and 1576 grams of dagga.

In an unrelated incident on the same day, following two sting operations at Du Plessis in Kranshoek just outside Plettenberg Bay two suspects aged 24 and 28 were arrested. The police confiscated 211, 53 litres of liquor and various items used in the illicit liquor trade. Similar operations were also conducted at Knysna and Still Bay where two more suspects were arrested.

Garden Route District Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana, had nothing but praise for those deployed in the region since the start of festive season operations.

by Everngelista Muza