Intelligence focussed driven operations executed in separate incidents by Gqeberha Flying Squad and the Anti-Gang Unit members yielded the desired results as drugs and firearms were confiscated during the weekend.

It is alleged that on Saturday, 4/06 at about 14:20 Flying Squad members acted on information received of suspicious persons in a Grey VW Polo TSI with no registration plates, heading towards the Summerstrand area. An immediate search for the vehicle began and not long later, it was spotted at the corners of Strand Street and Settlers Way. As soon as the occupants noticed the police vehicle, they made U-turn and sped away. A high speed chase followed and at various intersections, the occupants alighted and ran away. Flying Squad members succeeded in forcing the vehicle to stop and the 28-year-old driver was arrested.

He was detained on charges of possession of a prohibited firearm, illegal possession of ammunition as well as reckless and negligent driving. A 9mm firearm (serial number filed off) and 12 rounds of ammunition were seized. The vehicle was also impounded for further investigation.

Also on Saturday, 4/06, Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) members followed up on information received of firearms at a house in Neave Street in Schauderville. A search warrant was executed and while members were searching the house and occupants, a 39-year-old male was spotted tossing a firearm over a wall. A firearm with 6 rounds of ammunition were recovered. The firearm was reported stolen in Gelvandale in January 2021. The suspect was arrested and detained on a charge of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

Also on the same day, AGU members recovered a pellet gun found abandoned in a yard in Almond Street in Jacksonville in Bethelsdorp.

In another search, later in the day, at a house in Highfield Road in Shauderville, AGU members confiscated 18 sealed containers of Purata tablets (each containing 100 tablets) as well as an opened container of the same tablets. A total amount of 1860 tablets were seized. No one was arrested and an enquiry docket was opened for further investigation.

While patrolling a hotspot area in New Brighton on Friday evening, 3/06 at about 20:30, AGU members arrested a 27-year-old male outside a shop in Tsewu Street. On searching the person, cocaine with an estimated street value of R10 000 was found in his possession.

All the arrested suspects will appear in their respective magistrate courts on Monday, 6 June 2022. The confiscated firearms will be sent to ballistics for analysis.

Source: South African Police Service