WESTERN CAPE – “Vhuthu Hawe” operations were in full swing in the Southern Cape with the closing down of drug and liquor outlets as well as the confiscation of various illicit goods over the past weekend. These focused crime combatting operations were conducted at crime ridden areas with a specific aim to prevent crimes which threaten the safety of communities. The operations commenced on Thursday evening, 14 May 2022, until Sunday morning and included targeted search and seizure operations, vehicle patrols, roadblocks as well as vehicle check points.
On Thursday, 13 May 20222, Eden Cluster Crime Combatting Team members, George Crime Intelligence and Kwanokuthula police members, armed with search warrants, conducted crime intelligence-driven operations at two houses at Kranshoek and Kwanokuthula (Plettenberg Bay) respectively. These forces confiscated 102 Mandrax Tablets, 6 quarters and 4 halves as well as 11 Tik straws. The police arrested a 49-year-old man on a charge of dealing in drugs. The other two, man (28) and woman (27) were both arrested on a charge of possession of drugs each.
Meanwhile, combined efforts by Rural Flying Squad, Oudtshoorn and Da Gamaskop crime prevention unit members resulted in the arrest of three suspects, aged between 32 and 50, on charges of selling liquor without a licence. The operations were conducted at various premises at Bongulethu, Smartie Town and Thabo Mbeki Sqaure at Oudtshoorn since Friday, 13 May 2022. These forces confiscated more than 350 litres of liquor and R5000. The cash is believed to be proceeds of the illegal liquor trade.
Furthermore, Thembalethu police members also conducted a sting operation when they pounced on a known liquor outlet at Silver Town, Thembalethu on Friday, 13 May 2022. The members confiscated various types of liquor and arrested a 35-year-old woman on a charge of selling of liquor without a licence.
All arrested will appear in court once charged.
These arrests as well as confiscations form part of concerted efforts by police to eradicate substance abuse which contributes to serious and violent crimes, mostly reported over weekends. Similar operations will be conducted to rid communities of drugs and eradicate substance abuse.
Source: South African Police Service