SAPS operation: Illegal firearms, drugs recovered, EC

South African Police Service

SAPS operation: Illegal firearms, drugs recovered, EC
SAPS operation: Illegal firearms, drugs recovered, EC

Various interventions by Eastern Cape SAPS to thwart crime and stop criminals in their tracks yielded desired results over the past 24 hours.

Tactical Response Team (TRT) deployed at Ngcobo were busy with a stop and search operation near Nyanga High School along the R61 road when members stopped and searched a Toyota quantum that was driving towards Ngcobo from Mthatha. All passengers have been ordered to have his or her own luggage at hand.

Upon search, one male, aged 25, was arrested after he was found in possession of dagga weighing 2.130 kg, with an estimated street value of R3 000.00.

The suspect is expected to appear at Ngcobo Magistrate’s Court on 17 June 2020.

In an unrelated incident, Tactical Response Team (TRT) Unit deployed at Bityi arrested three males for possession of a suspected stolen vehicle near a local petrol station at Mqanduli a black CTI Golf with registration number NPS 41893.

Upon circulation, the vehicle came positive as reported stolen at Ngangelizwe. Three male suspects aged 26, 25 and 31 were arrested for possession of a suspected stolen vehicle. All three suspects are expected to appear at Mqanduli Magistrate’s Court on 17 June 2020.

In another Operation, Qumbu (TRT) team conducted an information driven operation for illegal firearms and ammunition at Ntshongweni location Qumbu where a suspect (72) was charged for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He was found with a 9mm Norinco Star, one x Magazine and 31 live rounds of ammunition.

The firearm belonged to the son of the suspect who allegedly handed it over his to his father ‘to protect himself and his 500 sheep against stock theft.’

Another 84-year-old man was arrest and charged for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He was found in possession of a 9mm Norinco Star, one magazine with 29 live rounds of 9mm pistol.

The firearm was circulated and it was established that it was stolen from Wallacedene, Kraaifontein, Cape Town. According to suspect, he bought the firearm in Cape town. The firearm was not reported stolen.

All the firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing to ascertain whether it have been utilized other crimes.

Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga commended the members for the good successes. “Our fight against proliferation of illegal firearms is given momentum through these arrests. One more firearm removed from illegal hands is a step towards making Eastern Cape a safe and gun free province,” she said.

South Africa Today – South Africa News

SOURCESouth African Police Service