MACLEAR - The deployment of members from specialized units in support of stations’ crime prevention endeavours continued to yield positive results as members from the Barkly East Mounted Unit arrested a suspect with drugs and a firearm.

The members have been deployed in the District on Saturday, 20 August 2022 starting at about 05:45 up until 18:00 through high police visibility crime prevention patrols when they received positive information about a vehicle transporting drugs around Maclear central business area.

A vehicle description of a silver Toyota Tazz were followed up by the members and the members responded to the said direction and patrolled the area.

As they were patrolling they came across the said vehicle and followed it.

The driver stopped the vehicle and attempted to flee however, fortunately the members were quick to stop and apprehend the suspect at a nearby petrol filling station.

On returning to the vehicle the members searched the vehicle and found the following:

• 2 Transparent plastic bags containing crystal meth (tik)

• 27 Zipblock plastic bags with crystal meth (ti) with a weight of 458 g

• 40 full boss mandrax tablets and

• 1 Luger auto pistol 9mm firearm with 10, 9mm live rounds of ammunition and a magazine as well as an undisclosed amount of cash.

The 29-year-old suspect was arrested and will appear tomorrow in the Maclear Magistrate’s Court on the charges of possession and dealing in drugs and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

The Acting District Commissioner, Brig Asogran Naidoo commended the members on their attentiveness and swift reaction. Thank you to the community of Maclear for not allowing the drugs to reach the streets and our youth. Together we make a difference in the fight against crime.

Source: South African Police Service