PORT ELIZABETH � The Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Unit (Gang Investigation) and the Visible Gang Intervention Team (VGIT) led by the Cluster Detective Co-ordinator, Col Paul Orange roped in four gang suspects wanted on separate cases of murder and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

The team worked from last night, 23 May 2019 until the early hours of this morning 24 May 2019 tracing the wanted suspects. Two suspects aged 22 and 24 years old (affiliated to the same gang) were arrested at a house in Deverill Street in Helenvale. These suspects were wanted on separate incidents of murder. The third suspect (18 years old) was arrested in Kwanoxolo on a charge of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition while the fourth suspect, 17 year old teenager was arrested in Booysens Park for illegal possession of ammunition.

Information also led the team to Kamesh in Uitenhage where a house was searched in Arcacia Street. A 9mm vector pistol (serial number filed off) was found hidden under frozen meat in a freezer in the kitchen. The firearm will be sent to ballistics for analysis. Also on Thursday, 23 May 2019 at about 10:00, the Tactical Response Team (Gauteng) recovered a 9mm pistol with ammunition after searching a male during stop and searches in Leith Street in Helenvale.

Since Monday, 20 May 2019 until this morning, a total of ten (10) firearms were recovered and several suspects arrested. All these firearms will be sent to ballistics for analysis.

Mount Road Cluster Commander, Major General Thembisile Patekile has vowed that ‘ our police officers both operational and investigative will be doing everything in their power to ensure that criminals are arrested and brought to book while at the same time, we appeal to the communities to assist us in making sure that their environment is safe and secure.’

Source: South African Police Service