In an effort to fight the proliferation of illegal weapons and drug dealing in rural towns of Eastern Cape like Qumbu, Tsolo and Lusikisiki, various components, deployed to conduct operations and search for wanted suspects, yielded positive results.
Three male suspects aged between 35 and 46 were arrested for charges ranging from possession of illegal weapons and ammunition as well as possession and dealing in drugs between 18 and 20 March 2021.
A 49-year-old male suspect was arrested and charged for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition as well as dealing in dagga on 18 March 2021, at 22:00 at KwaNyathi A/A Mkhuzaza locality at Lusikisiki.
In his possession, police confiscated a firearm, a magazine and twenty two live rounds of ammunition.
Two 40kg bags containing dagga and cash amounting to five hundred and seventy seven rand were confiscated. It is suspected that the firearm were used in the commission of crime in the area. The operation was conducted by TRT Team Mt Ayliff, Information Team members and Provincial Detectives.
A 46-year-old male suspect was arrested by Tactical Response Team (TRT) members deployed at Qumbu, Provincial Detectives while Crime Scene Investigation members conducted a search and seizure operation following up on information about illegal firearms at Nomadolo Locality, Ngcolosi A/A ,Tsolo.
The suspect was charged for possession of illegal firearm, and ammunition after he was found in possession of a firearm, magazine and two rounds of live ammunition.
A 35-yearold male suspect was arrested at Tsolo area in the CBD at New Homes for possession and dealing in drugs on 20 March 2021 at 04:00.
He was found in possession of the following:
25 full mandrax tablets
2 half mandrax tablets
6 small pieces of mandrax
300 gram plastic for Tik
10 small packets of Dagga
1 green plastic of dagga
Cash to the amount of one thousand two hundred and twenty two rand and fifty cents.
All the drugs are have an estimated street value of approximately R4 720 – 00.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear before the Tsolo, Qumbu and Lusikisiki Magistrate’s Court respectively on Tuesday, 23 March 2021. All weapons will be subjected to ballistic testing to ascertain its earlier use in the commission of crime.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga welcomed the arrest and recoveries. “Our efforts must make criminals uncomfortable and our coordinated team efforts must break the backbone of organized crime in rural areas making it safe for all to live and work in our province,” she elaborated.
