WESTERN CAPE: Our quest to seize unlicensed firearms and illegal substances in the province became successful when the members of the Flying Squad arrested a 37-year-old male who was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm in Athlone yesterday afternoon. The alert members were conducting stop and search operations in the area and they saw a suspicious man. The members approached him, a body search was conducted and a prohibited firearm was found in his possession.

The suspect was subsequently arrested and he is expected to make a court appearance soon for possession of unlicensed firearm.

In an unrelated occurrence the members of Operation Lockdown conducted an intelligence driven operation at West Bank yesterday, 05 January 2020 and arrested a 38-year-old male who was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm, a 3.8 special revolver with rounds of ammunition and 80 mandrax tablets and four half mandrax tablets. The value of drugs is yet to be determined.

The suspect was arrested and he is expected to appear in court soon for possession of an unlicensed firearm with and ammunition and dealing in drugs.

Meanwhile in Elsies River yesterday, the members were busy with crime prevention patrols at Southern Cross in Salberau and arrested a 16-year-old boy after he was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm. The suspect immediately fled the scene on foot when he noticed police vehicle, and was pursued. He threw an object over a nearby fence and it was discovered that it was a loaded 9mm pistol. The suspect was arrested and he is due to appear in the Good wood Magistrate’s Court today, 06 January 2020 for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Source: South African Police Service