The fact that firearms are the weapon of choice of the gangsters and drugs is the commodity of trade, every effort must be made to strip the gangsters of both drugs and firearms. In so doing, the safety of citizens including the youth in these areas will be protected.
In the last two months the AGU in Port Elizabeth have recovered 18 firearms and confiscated over 217 rounds of ammunition. A total of 1435 mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R71 750 were also seized. Several suspects were arrested and appeared in court.
The latest arrest was effected on 11 November 2020, when the AGU members received and followed up on information of a gang member in possession of a firearm in Ventura Street in Balfour Heights in Missionvale. The area was tactically approached and members entered on foot and in vehicles. As they entered into Elcamino Street, three males were seen running from the corner of Elcamino and Acadian Street towards Ventura Street. One male fitting the description of the suspect was seen running. Members chased after him and as he was running, he threw a firearm into a yard. The 32-year-old gang member was arrested and a revolver with 3 rounds was confiscated. Ownership is yet to be determined.
Also on 11 November 2020, the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation (Gang Investigation) arrested two suspects allegedly involved in a shooting incident early in the morning. It is alleged that at about 07:40 the victim, aged 24 years old, was standing in his yard in Esterhuizen Street in Arcadia when he saw the two suspects approaching. They shot at him. The complainant ran into his house. He did not sustain any injuries.
Soon after the incident, detectives followed up on information about the possible whereabouts of the suspects. Both suspects, aged 23 and 25 years old were found at a house in Jenniker Street in Arcadia. They were arrested and charged for attempted murder.
All the arrested suspects will be appearing in the Port Elizabeth magistrates’ court on 12 November 2020 on their respective charges.
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