WESTERN CAPE – Concerted efforts by Police in the Eden Cluster in the Garden Route District and the strategic deployment of integrated forces on the ground ensured that 418 suspects were arrested between Friday, 21 and Sunday morning, 23 May 21 at 06:00. Of these, three hundred and twelve (312) were arrested for reported crime, committed during the mentioned period. These arrests represent various criminal offences, ranging from petty to Contravention of DMA Covid-19 Regulations and other serious crime since the start of this weekend whilst twenty five (25) were wanted suspects.
This weekend’s operations included high visibility patrols in crime stricken areas, stop and search operations with a special focus on drug and liquor outlets, illegal firearms, the tracing of wanted suspects and the confiscation dangerous weapons. Most of the arrested suspects will make their court appearance in the local magistrates’ court tomorrow, Monday, 24 May 2021, once charged.
On Saturday, Calitzdorp SAPS, assisted by the Attaqua K-9 (Oudtshoorn Dog Unit) conducted vehicle check points in and around Calitzdorp after receiving a tip-off from a member of the community that a specific vehicle en-route from Oudtshoorn direction is transporting drugs. When the members noticed the suspicious vehicle, they pulled it off the road for a routine search in Main Street, Calitzdorp. They then took the driver of the vehicle to the police station for interrogation and with the help of a narcotics detection dog discovered 499 Mandrax tablets hidden in the suspect’s pants. The drugs were destined for distribution in the local community. Subsequent to the find, members arrested the 29-year-old suspect and charged him with Dealing in Drugs (Mandrax). He is scheduled. To make his first appearance in the Calitzdorp Magistrates’ court on Monday, 24 May 2021.
Meanwhile George as well as Kwanokuthula Crime Prevention units also pounced on illegal drug outlets in their respective areas over the weekend and confiscated a considerable although smaller amount of dagga and Mandrax and arrested several suspects who are also scheduled to appear in the George and Plettenberg Bay Magistrates’ court on Monday, 24 May 2021.
During this weekend’s successful integrated crime combat operations, police within the Eden Cluster conducted fifteen (15) searches at illegal drug outlets, five (5) illegal shebeens and closed a further two (2) of shebeens.
Eden Cluster Commander, Maj Gen Oswald Reddy, commended the members for their vigilance in bringing these perpetrators to book. He reiterated that although seemingly insignificant for some, these police initiated interventions indeed prevented the commission of other serious crimes such as Murders, Robberies, serious assaults and domestic-related and Gender Based Violence.
Western Cape Provincial Management has lauded the members for their efforts that contributed to a safer weekend in the various policing precincts.
Source: South African Police Service