Western Cape police have intensified efforts to rid communities of drugs and liquor that generate serious and violent crimes when the Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile led a joint high density operation in the Garden Route District. The operations were executed throughout the district from Thursday until this morning, 01 to 04 September 2022, with a specific focus on identified hotspots and crime generators.
The deployment consisted of members attached to the Public Order Police, Rural Flying Squad, Crime Intelligence Gathering, Vehicle Identification and Safeguarding Section, K-9 units, Provincial and Municipal Traffic as well as other local law enforcement agencies. These operations included high density patrols, closing down of illicit drug and liquor outlets, search and seizure operations, roadblocks, vehicle check points and visit to legal liquor outlets.
On Thursday the forces executed search warrants at four premises at Conville (George) which yielded excellent results with the confiscation of 65 mandrax tablets, 34 halves (Mandrax), 92 bankies of tik, 298 dagga stoppe, 4 kilograms of dagga and 825 litres of liquor. Police arrested five suspects aged between 20 and 57 on various charges such as possession of drugs, dealing in drugs and selling of liquor without a licences.
Meanwhile, on Friday the forces were deployed at Knysna and Plettenberg Bay where they conducted stop and search operations as well as roadblocks along the N2 highway. They arrested nine undocumented persons, issued R29 800 worth of fines for traffic related offences and arrested six suspects aged between 25 and 38 on charges of possession of drugs. Police confiscated small quantities of mandrax found in their possession.
On Saturday evening the Garden Route District Crime Combatting Team members armed with a search warrant pounced on a house at Bruce Street, Borchards in George where they arrested a 56-year-old woman on a charge of selling liquor without a licence. Police confiscated 197,5 litres of liquor during the operation.
All arrested during these operations remain in custody. They are expected to make their first court appearances in the respective local courts on Monday, 05 September 2022.
The efforts of all involved are commended by SAPS management.
Source: South African Police Service