Concerted efforts by Police in the Eden Cluster in the Garden Route District to combat and eradicate crime successfully through the strategic deployment of integrated forces ensured that 204 suspects were arrested between Friday, 14 January 2022 and Sunday morning16 January 2022 at 06:00. Of these arrests, one hundred and forty four (144) were arrested for reported crime committed during the mentioned period of two days. These arrests represent various criminal offences, ranging from petty to more serious offence. These arrests also represents eleven (11) suspects and eight (8) warrants of arrests that was executed.
This weekend’s operations included high visibility blue light patrols in crime stricken areas, roadblocks, stop and search operations with a special focus on drug and liquor outlets, illegal firearms, the tracing of wanted suspects and the confiscation of dangerous weapons. Most of the arrested suspects will make their court appearance in the local magistrates’ court tomorrow, Monday, 17 January 2022, once charged whilst others were released on a warning to appear in court at a later stage or pay an admission of guild fine for minor transgressions.
Intelligence driven operations led integrated forces to Conville, Ladismith, Oudtshoorn and Ladismith where a substantial amount of drugs were seized and few arrest were affected.
In Conville near George, the local Crime Prevention Unit, assisted by the Eden Cluster Crime Combatting Team, pounced on a known drug outlet on Friday, 14 January 2022 in Luister Street, Conville in George where they executed a search warrant. With the search that ensued members found 17 small Dagga bankies and 3-stops of Dagga, 14 Boss Mandrax tablets, 14 bankies of Tik and a small amount of cash. The 36-year-old suspect that was arrested had been charged with Dealing in Drugs and will appear in the George Magistrates’ on Monday, 17 January 2022.
In Ladismith local Visible Policing members arrested two dealers, one dealing in Liquor and another dealing in Drugs at two different locations in Zoar just outside Ladismith.
A 73-year-old suspect residing in Protea Park, Zoar was found in possession of a large amount of liquor during a clandestine operation following the purchasing of liquor at the premises. The 73-year-old was arrested and later paid an admission of Guild fine of R2500.00.
Members also executed a search warrant at a premises situated in Piketberg, a location in Zoar Ladismith where they found and confiscated 186 Mandrax tablets and 20 grams of Tik stashed in small bankies. A 47-year-old suspect was arrested who is scheduled to appear in the Ladismith magistrates’ court tomorrow, Monday, 17 January 2022.
Eden Acting Cluster Commander, Brigadier Phumzile Cetyana has praised the members for their dedication to safeguard communities within their area. The confiscation illicit Drugs during the weekend also contributed to the prevention of serious crime such as murder and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, he said.
Western Cape Provincial Management commended the members for their vigilance in bringing these perpetrators to book. Combined and integrated operations will continue throughout and beyond the festive season with the focus on the restart of the Western Cape School year.s
Source: South African Police Service