Weekend crime combatting operations under the theme “More boots on the ground towards enhanced police visibility” yielded excellent results with the arrest of 494 suspects and the confiscation of drugs with an estimated value of R57 000 as well as 329 litres of liquor in the Garden Route District.
These operations commenced on Thursday, 19 January 2023 and concluded the morning of 23 January 2023 with 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.
On Friday, 20 January 2023 the forces descended on the Knysna Taxi Rank at Nelson Street where they arrested eight suspects aged between 21 and 48 for drug related offences. Police confiscated 134 mandrax tablets, 7, 1 gram tik and 1576 grams of dagga. The members also seized over R3000 in cash, believed to be the proceeds of the lucrative drug trade.
Later the same day, 20 January 2023 the integrated forces conducted two sting operations at Du Plessis in Kranshoek just outside Plettenberg Bay where they arrested two suspects aged 24 and 28. 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.
In Oudtshoorn, on Saturday, 21 January 2023, the forces embarked on an intelligence driven operation at illicit drug outlet at Steenbok Street, Bridgeton. A search of the premises led to the confiscation drugs estimated at R2000 and R6000 cash. The police subsequently arrested four suspects aged between 32 and 52 on a charges of dealing in drugs, each.
All other arrests were for crimes reported during this period. Those arrested were scheduled to have made their respective court appearances in different courts.
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.
Western Cape police management lauded the forces for their efforts to close down illicit drug and liquor outlets as well as premises where stolen property are sold.
