A number of people were arrested during a ’high-density’ police operation that was conducted in the Frances Baard District over the weekend.
A NUMBER of people were arrested during a “high-density” police operation that was conducted in the Frances Baard District over the weekend.
The crime intelligence-driven operation, led by the acting deputy provincial commissioner for policing, Brigadier Hennie van Rensburg, and the Frances Baard district commissioner, Major-General Johan Bean, was conducted on Friday and Saturday evening.
Police spokesperson Captain Olebogeng Tawana said on Sunday that the operation focused on addressing illicit activities in a number of areas including in the Roodepan, Pampierstad, Hartswater, Jan Kempdorp, Warrenton, Barkly West, Galeshewe, Kagisho, Modderrivier and Kimberley policing precincts.
“Simultaneous raids were executed at identified residences for drug dealing, stolen goods and illegal firearms. Stop-and-searches for dangerous weapons were also conducted,” said Tawana.
He added that high police visibility through blue light patrols deterred and prevented criminal activities.
“Compliance inspections were conducted at 110 liquor outlets, during which 383 patrons were searched, while 129 houses were raided and 153 vehicles. Fifteen dangerous weapons, which includes knives, were seized during the operation, while traffic and other fines were issued to motorists, as well as those who were drinking liquor in the streets.”
Tawana said that mandrax tablets, as well as cash believed to be the proceeds of drug dealing, were found in the possession of the owners of a well-known tavern and taxi operation in Pampierstad on Saturday.
“During the raid, the wife grabbed and flushed the crystal meth down the toilet. However, members managed to retrieve the crystal meth before it was flushed down the drain.”
He added that a Nigerian national and a South African national were arrested at their residences in Pampierstad and the police confiscated more than 100 mandrax tablets, crystal meth, a suspected stolen laptop, cellphones and money believed to be the proceeds of drug dealing.
“On the evening of March 11, two males and a female suspect were arrested in Roodepan. They were found in possession of mandrax tablets and cash during a raid at their premises.”
Tawana said that several suspects were also arrested in Galeshewe and Kagisho after they were found in possession of drugs, such as dagga, mandrax and crystal meth.
“Brigadier Hennie van Rensburg and members also destroyed a dagga plantation at a house in Naborn in the Roodepan area.”
Tawana said all the suspects are expected to appear in different courts in the Frances Baard District on Monday on charges ranging from dealing in drugs, possession of drugs and possession of dangerous weapons.
