WESTERN CAPE – A clamp down on drug and liquor outlets let to the arrest of a number of suspects as well as the confiscations of various illicit items during Safer Festive Season operations over the past weekend. These operations included roadblocks, vehicle check points, closing down of drug and liquor outlets and patrols in crime ridden areas.
On Friday, 17 December 2021 afternoon, members attached to the Rural Flying Squad were strategically deployed when they conducted a vehicle check point on the N12 between Oudtshoorn and George. The vigilant members stopped an Opel Corsa. They proceeded with a search of the vehicle when they found 1040 gram of dagga hidden in the door panels. The driver, believed to be in his early forties, was subsequently arrested on a charge of possession of drugs.
Meanwhile on Saturday, 18 December 2021 members of the Eden Cluster Crime Combatting Team and Rural Flying Squad stopped a passenger bus at a roadblock near the Tsitsikamma Tollgate outside Plettenberg Bay. A search of the bus ensued when they found 350 bundles of Khat with an estimated street value of R27 000-00 in the trailer of the vehicle. The find was later linked to a passenger on board. Police arrested the 36-year-old suspect on a charge of possession of drugs.
Furthermore, efforts by the police to eradicate alcohol abuse which remains a contributor to serious and violent crimes yielded positive results when two suspects were arrested on charges of selling liquor without a licence.
Yesterday 19 December 2021, Thembalethu Crime Prevention Unit members, armed with a warrant, conducted an operation at a suspected illegal liquor outlet. The police confiscated 13 cases of beer and arrested a 51-year-old suspect.
On the same day 19 December 2021, Kwanokuthula police embarked on an operation at a house at Kranshoek outside near Plettenberg Bay where they confiscated a small quantity of liquor. They arrested a 30-year-old suspect on mentioned charge. He later paid a R2 000-00 fine and was released.
All other suspects remains in custody. They will appear in the respective local courts once charged.
Acting Eden Cluster Commander, Brigadier Phumzile Cetyana, commended the members for their vigilance in ensuring that illicit activities are being curbed during the holiday period. He said this zero tolerance approach would be maintained during the festive period to ensure that the public are and feel safe.
Source: South African Police Service